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January 10, 2003

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EL EIXAMPLE

  El Eixample or "Enlargement" is the central area of the city of Barcelona and is formed by a grid take layout of streets with diamond-shaped intersections. It reflects the expansion in the city during the last third of the 19th century.
Our walk begins at the PlaŤa de Catalunya(23). Proceeding up the Passeig de Grŕcia, between the PlaŤa de Catalunya and the street of Gran Via de les Cortes Catalanes, we see some characteristic neogothic structures. Before arriving at the Gran Via, on the street of Casp we can stop to look at three notable buildings: the T’voli Theater(24), now a cimena, the Casal de Sant Jordi, the work of Francesc Folguera, and last of all, the Casa Calvet(25) by Antoni Gaud’ at number 48.

At the intersection of the Passeig de Grŕcia and the Gran Via, there are two unique buildings. On the left of the Passeig de Grŕcia, we see the former Palau Marcet, now a cimena, and on the right, Joyer’a Roca (Jewelry Store) designed by Josep Llu’s Sert. After taking a right at the Gran Via and proceeding to the intersection of C. Pau Claris, are find the interesting modernist Vilardell pharmacy(26). After turning left on C. Pau Claris, continue walking until you reach Ptge. Permanyer, with its low houses and English-style gardens.
Returning to Passeig de Grŕcia, on the left-hand side between C. Consell de Cent and C. Arrag—, we encounter the famous ManŤana de la Discňrdia, (apple of discord; "manŤana" meaning both apple and city block), so named because of the contrasting architecture of three of its buildings, all from the first decade of the 20th century. The Casa Lle— Morera(27), is the work of Llu’s Domčnech i Montaner, with its modernist floral faŤade; the Casa Amatller(28), a few steps up, is a neogothic building built by Josep Puig i Cadafalch and decorated with polychrome ceramic on the faŤade; and finally the Casa Batll—(29), the work of Antoni Gaud’, with its sparkling mosaic faŤade using dragon-like forms and punctuated with round ceramic plaques. A few yards further down the street of C. Arag— is the iron and brick building by Domčnech i Montaner housing the Antoni Tŕpies Foundation(30). The roof of the building is crowned with a sculpture by the artist.

Standing at the intersection of Passeig de Grŕcia and C. ProvenŤa, we encounter the world-renowned Casa Milŕ(31) by Antoni Gaud’, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Know also as La Pedrera (The Stone Quarry) it is an authentic abstract sculpture where the curve prevails. It is presently the site of the Caixa de Catalunya Foundation. The two courtyards can be visited, in addition to the roof with its fantastic array of chimneys and ventilators.


Click to Enlarge

At the corner of Av. Diagonal and Rambla de Catalunya, we find the interesting Casa Serra(32) by Puig i Cadafalch. A right turn at Av. Diagonal will take us to Casa Comalat(33), the modernist building by Valeri who designed some interesting wooden galleries, and opposite it, the small Palau Bar— de Quadras(34) by Puig i Cadafalch, the current site of the Music Museum. After turning right at C. Roger de Llúrica and crossing C. Mallorca, we come to Palau Montaner(35), the work of Domčnech i Montaner, decorated with polychrome ceramic. On C. Mallorca, between C. Roger de Llúrica and C. Bruc, we find Casa Thomas(36), an unusual neogothic structure designed by the same architect. At the intersection of C. Roger de Llúria and C. Arag—, we can view the 12th century Gothic Church of La Concepci—(37), transferred between 1871 and 1888 to its present site. Next to it is La Concepci— Market(38), an interesting structure of iron and glass.

From C. Arag—, take C. Bruc until arriving at the intersection with C. Valčncia, where the noucentist Conservatori Municipal de Música(39), (Municipal Conservatory of Music) designed by Antoni Folguera can be found. On C. Valčncia at the corner of Passeig Sant Joan, we see the Church of Las Salesas(40), neogothic creation by Joan Martorell which brought about the renewed use of polychrome ceramics. At number 108 on Passeig de Sant Joan, we find the Palau Macaya(41), by Puig i Cadafalch, seat of the "La Caixa" Foundation.
Either C. ProvenŤa or C. Mallorca will lead to the Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Familia(42) (Expiatory Temple of the Holy Family) initiated by Antoni Gaud’. The unifinished church is a symbolic structure with three main faŤades representing the Nativity on the east, the Passion and Death on the west, and the Glory planned on the south. The scheme of four towers on each faŤade represents the twelve Apostles. The dome crowning the apse is the symbol of the Virgin. The naves are supported by a complicated structural system of inclined columns and parabolic arches. The wall of the apse is adorned with unusual and original plant and animal motifs. The Nativity faŤade is also decorated with organic forms, and its four 107 m. spires with polychromes mosaics crown the three doors of the faŤade. The west faŤade is in an advanced stage of construction, undetaken by a group of architects who are following Gaudi's original design.
Metro: Lines 1 (Catalunya), 2 (Passeig de Grŕcia), 3 (Catalunya, Passeig de Grŕcia and Diagonal), 4 (Passeig de Grŕcia) and 5 (Diagonal).


Go to the fourth itinerary...click here


 
Parks

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