Attractions in L'Eixample (Barcelona)

Casa Ametller

Built between 1898 and 1900 by the modernist architect Puig i Cadafalch, this structure together with Casa Lleó Morera and Casa Batlló, is a part of the Illa de la Discòrdia (Block of Discord). These three modernist buildings, the deesigns of which clash radically, hold great architectural and aesthetic value. Unfortunately, visitors are not allowed inside, but the view from the street is still impressive. Casa Ametller's design has Central European Gothic influences, which is particularly evident in the pyramid-shaped roof; a touch of Catalan Gothic style in visible in the window arches, but on the whole, it's clearly a modernist design.

Fundació Joan Miró

Created by Joan Miró as an institute for the study of contemporary art, it was built by his close friend and architect Josep Lluís Sert. Its outstanding octagonal tower houses a concert hall that's used as an auditorium for classical music performances. The permanent collection includes Miró's art in all formats: large canvases, tapestries, everyday objects, engravings, photographs and more. The Fundació also organizes temporary exhibitions and has a café-restaurant and souvenir shop. The hours of operations may vary according to the months, kindly visit the website for further details of the same.

Casa Lleó-Morera

Part of the Illa de la Discòrdia (Block of Discord), Lluís Domènech i Muntaner's design displays a spectacular use of mosaic as well as stained-glass windows by Lluís Rigalt and sculptures by Eusebi Arnau. These decorative elements reflect Hellenistic, Gothic and Renaissance influences, especially the stained-glass windows. Built between 1902 and 1906, it stands in the same residential block as two other outstanding modernist buildings created by different architects in hugely different styles, hence the collective name - Block of Discord.

Casa Milà (La Pedrera)

Antoni Gaudí, the architect who built this jewel of Catalan modernism, wanted the facade to reflect his romantic and anti-classical ideas about design. It was built for the Milà family between 1906 and 1910. Neither the family nor the public were much impressed, and it was dubbed La Pedrera (stone quarry) as an insult. Only later in 1984, it won great acclaim when the UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site. Now internationally celebrated, Casa Mila is a prime example of Gaudi's civil architecture; it is aesthetically interesting and unique as well as outstandingly practical.

Plaça Espanya

This stopover on the way to Montjuïc Mountain used to be the gateway to the city, because the creu coberta (covered cross) lay in this square. It was a Gothic cross that symbolized arrival in Barcelona. Criminals were once hanged in this part of the city, and they remained on display some time in an attempt to dissuade those who arrived from straying from the "path of righteousness". Urbanization of the area began in 1908 and was completed in 1929, the year of the Universal Exposition of Barcelona. In the middle of the square is a fountain designed by Josep Maria Jujol, a Gaudí disciple.

Sagrada Familia

Antoni Gaudí began this utterly surreal temple in 1882 and it is still being constructed. It was originally intended to be a modest, neo-Gothic church, but it has become the most famous building in Barcelona. Gaudí broke away from the reigning neo-Gothic style of the late 19th and early 20th centuries and imbued every element of the Sagrada Família with symbolic meaning. Turtles form the base of columns: the Chinese symbol of order within chaos, and the pillars are palm trees. The most outstanding feature of this building is its baroque style, and the mixture of colors and the diversity of materials used: plaster, ceramics, mosaic, iron and many types of stone.

La Dona i l'Ocell

La Dona i L'Ocell (The Woman and the Bird) is a Joan Miró sculpture located close to a small lake in Parc de l'Escorxador. The park itself is on the Eixample Esquerra (Left Eixample) and the sculpture is easily visible from a distance, as it stands a massive 22m high. It was commissioned as part of Barcelona's 1983 public art initiative. It's an abstract work (of course!), typical of Miró, and was considered quite radical in its day, it is covered in brightly coloured broken mosaic pieces (called trencadís in Catalan).

Mercat del Llibre Vell i d'ocasió

Organized by the Catalunya Booksellers' Guild, this market is where you'll find rare and out-of-print books of all kinds. The market is held once a year during the second fortnight in September and the first fortnight in October. You'll find lots of bargains, and it's enjoyable just to come and browse. In addition to books, there are magazines and other collector's items for sale. Admission is free.

Casa Terrades (Casa de les Punxes)

Puig i Cadalfach's building is also known as the Casa de les Punxes (House of Spikes), because of its sharply pointed gables and towers. Built between 1903 and 1905, its clearly modernist style is most evident in the floral sculptures on the façade, the use of red brick and in some of its Central European Gothic features. It was completely renovated at the end of the 1980s, but remains closed to public at present.

Barri de L'Eixample

To cope with the exponential expansion outside the city's medieval walls, Ildefons Cerdà developed a new city plan in 1850: a grid structure of vertical and horizontal streets that formed squares when they crossed. Cerdà wanted to build residential accommodation in these square blocks and have communal yards in the middle with gardens where children could play. This part of the plan was sadly never accomplished, but the original design gives the blocks plenty of light. L'Eixample was built between 1860 and 1920, coinciding with the boom in Modernist architecture that is well represented here. The district is divided between the Dreta de L'Eixample (The Right) and the Esquerra de L'Eixample (The Left).

Casa del Tíbet

Head to this establishment to gain a wealth of information about Buddhism and Tibetan culture. This establishment conducts regular activities like classes for Tibetan language and meditation. The centre features a library where one can read about Buddhism, Tibet, Himalayan cultures and more. There is also a store on site selling books and handicrafts. The centre also provides information about making trips to the Himalayan mountain ranges and even organize expeditions. Every month it conducts additional activities as well, such as weekend courses about Buddhist art and therapeutic massage, pujas and mantra recitation and screening of informative videos and movies.

Centro Budista Nagarjuna

Centro Budista Nagarjuna is a centre of Tibetan Buddhism that follows the Gelukpa school and the tradition of His Holiness the Dalai Lama as well. It is a member of the FPMT (Federation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition) whose spiritual director is Venerable Lama Thubten Zopa Rinpoche. They have activities at throughout the week, open to all and free of charge. These activities might be group meditation, study groups or teachings on the lam.rim (Gradual Path) given by the resident teacher Venerable Lama Geshe Lobsang Tsultrim. There are also occasional weekend teachings and longer retreats.