L'EIXAMPLE

L'Eixample means ´The Extension' in Catalan, and this district was laid out between 1860 and 1920 to expand the city beyond its medieval walls and link it with outlying municipalities.

The innovative plan, drawn up by civil engineer IIdefons Cerda, broke with the tradition of Spanish urban planning, with its geometric grid of streets running parallel to the seafront. The aptly named Avinguda Diagonal cuts through at 45 degrees to add a touch of originality. The utopian features of Cerda's plan have been largely forgotten, and today many people dislike its monotony while others praise its visionary urban planning.

The Eixample consists of two barris: L'Esquerra (The Left) is more residential whereas La Oreta (The Right) contains ' the Modernista landmarks Casa Mila the three properties of La Manzana de la Discordia, the Fundacio Antoni Tapies, the Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau and La Sagrada Familia. Chic boutiques line its streets and, at night, its stylish bars and nightclubs come alive.