Monday 11 February 2008

Walking tour - The Eixample

On foot. Approximate duration: 2 hours.

"Exaimple" means extension and here it refers to the urban expansion of the city which was carried out in the second half of the 19th Century according to the plans drawn by Ildefons Cerdà. The "Exaimple", which is divided into two by the Rambla Catalunya, is the greatest interest from the point of view of "Modernism" on the right and it is there that we have routed our itinerary. It begins Plaça Catalunya.

1- Plaça Catalunya
Similar in size to Peter's Square in the Vatican and the Etoile de Paris.

2- Passeig de Gràcia
This was the favorite promenade of the bourgeoisie at the turn of the century. Worthy of admiration are the iron lamp-posts by Pere Falqués.

3- Passatge Permanyer
One of the jewels in the "Exaimple"'s crown. Post-Romantic houses with gardens in front.

4- "La Concepció" Market and Church
The architectural structure of the market buildings is lovely. The annexed church is gothic and has a marvellous cloister dating from the 14th Century.

5- Conservatori Superior Municipal de Música
Carrer Bruc, nº110. The work of A. de Falguera.

6- Casa Montaner
Carrer de Mallorca, nº278. The work of Domènech i Montaner.


7- Palau Casades
Carrer Mallorca, nº283. Pompeian style small palace. Houses the College of Lawyers.

8- Casa Thomas
Calle Mallorca, nº291. The work of Domènech i Montaner.

9- Casa Terrades or "Casa de les Punxes"
Calle Diagonal, nº416. The work of Puig i Cadalfach. Modernist style with medevial overtones, rich us of brick woek.

10- Casa Quadras
Calle Diagonal, nº373. The work of Puig i Cadalfach.


11- Casa Mila or "La Pedrera"
Passeig de Gràcia, nº92. The work of Antoni Gaudí. Considered to be Modernism at its best with its impressive façade of ondulating stone and wrought-iron balconies.

12- Casa Montaner i Simó
Carrer d'Aragó, nº255. 1880, work of Domènech i Montaner. The first catalan modernist building. Headquarters of the Tàpies Fondation.

13- Casa Batlló
Passeig de Gràcia, nº43. The work of Gaudí. Mosaic and ceramic tiled façade.

14- Casa Amatller
Passeig de Gràcia, nº41. The work of Puig i Cadalfach. Neo-Gothic style.

15-Casa Lleó i Morera
Passeig de Gràcia, nº35. The work of Domènech i Montaner.

You can rent an apartment on the Passeig de Gracia from walking distance of all these points of interest.

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