Eixample+Essay

= Eixample, a model district. =

EIXAMPLE is a district in Barcelona, Spain. This catalan word means “expansion”. This incredibly well designed district is located in a very centric area, and all the most interesting points to visit are placed on a walking distance.

During the industrial boom in the 19th century, the city architects planned to create diagonal boulevards, trying to connect the old Barcelona with the new bourgeois soil. The result of that planting was a new extension of the city, the Eixample, which was benefited greatly by the ingenious urban planning made by the catalán engineer Cerdá, during the decade of 1850. This place is essentially a district of middle-high class, with quiet streets and shopping areas, also it has an active nightlife and great coffee culture. It is a great place to walk and enjoy the modernist architecture, which definitely makes this, a fascinating and incredible place to be.

In our days, the most fascinating modernist constructions of th early 20th century are in the Eixample district, including the most architecturally recognized building of the catalan architect Antoni Gaudí, like the Expiatory church of the Sacred Family, the Milá house and the Batlló house. Others touristic and architectural interesting buildings here are: the National Theatre of Catalonia, L´Auditori, the Monumental bull square, Les Punxes house, as well as numerous cinemas, theaters, restaurants, hotels, etc.

Also in Eixample we can find the most beautiful squares and streets from all Europe, like the Paseo de Gracias, La Rambla, The Catalonia Square, the diagonal Avenue, the Aragón street, the Gran Vía de les Corts Catalanes, the Balmes street, The Sacred Family square, the Gaudí square and other amazing places to go and stay.

All the characteristics described before speak for themselves; the modifications made in Barcelona changed the structuration of the city, changing its public perception and its whole present and future. The plan made by Cerda is a success because of the high-quality opportunities for people who live, work and visit the Eixample and Barcelona.