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Gràcia - Village-Living Within The City |
“Freedom for Gràcia!” is a slogan printed on t-shirts and sprayed on walls in the inimitable Grácia district. This half-serious expression of independence is rooted in the expansion of Barcelona in the late 19th century when the, then, village was annexed by the city of Barcelona. Gràcia has always kept its distance from the “city beneath” while hanging on to a small-town atmosphere characterised by narrow streets and numerous charming plaças.
Grácia has a thriving artist community, a more relaxed pace, and a wide variety of dining options from Catalan classics to inexpensive, exotic haunts. Daytime, it’s perfect for strolling the narrow streets and enjoying a time-out on one of the squares like Pl. del Sol, Pl. Virreina or Pl. Rius i Taulet. This is also en excellent place to start the evening with a meal before moving into the nightlife of Eixample or Ciutat Vella .Whereas weekends offer you a chance to immerse yourself fully in the night-life at, and around Plaça del Sol.
Gràcia is, furthermore, the gateway to famous architect Antoni Gaudí’s second most known creation; the Park Güell. Originally planned as a housing estate (1900-1914), but when the Barcelona bourgeois couldn’t be persuaded to leave their lofty city-villas the countryside, the area was eventually turned into a garden complex. Structured around the main terrace, crafted from stone and mosaic and offering panoramic city views, the park showcases the architect’s grasp of natural form and is a must-see. Gaudì’s first Barcelona assignment is also in Gràcia; the Casa Vicens, a good representation of the Arabic, ornamented influence on Catalan architecture. The main road that connected Gràcia to the city of Barcelona, is now the most elegant and exclusive in the entire region; the Passeig de Grácia- a broad avenue lined with tall trees, wrought iron-lamps, Modernisme buildings and littered with boutiques offering all the major designer’s fare. Whether you intend to let your credit-cards run red-hot here or not, a walk down from Gràcia as the sun sets and the iron-lamps start glowing in-between the treetops is one of Barcelona’s most generous treats.
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