Gràcia, about 1 km north of the center of Barcelona at the north end of the Passeig de Gràcia, is the most distinctively Catalan neighborhood to be found in easy walking distance of the center. Gracia is immediately recognizable for its narrow streets, a stark contrast to the wide, modern boulevards of L’Eixample. The neighbourhood is famous for its parties and big festivals, especially “la Fiesta Mayor” (August 15th) and “Sant Medir” (March 3rd).
There is a wide range of culinary offer in the street Verdi, The restaurants of traditional cuisine compete with international kitchen, for example the Lebanese All-Waha or the Egyptian Nut.
In the 19th century, the idea of building houses around central sqaures became very popular, This is why there are so many nice squares in this district:
- “Plaça de Rius i Taulet”: dominated by a belfry tower of 33m high,
- “Plaça del Sol”: created during the second half of the 19th century, it is today a meeting place for young people because there is a wide variety of bars.
- “Plaça de la Revolució”: called the “Plaza de tierra” in the past, the new square was inaugurated in 1995 after the last reconstructions. On the right side, you can see the words “Revolución”
- “Plaça del Diamant”: in honour of the protagonist of the novel “Mercè Rodoreda”
- “Plaça de la Virreina”: founded in 1878, we find here the parochial church of “Sant Joan”
When walking down the street “Gran de Gràcia” to the very beginning, where “Passeig de Gràcia” starts at the other side of Diagonal, we find “Els Jardinets”, a memory of the garden that disappeared in 1883. We can walk on this street and look at the different shops and modernist buildings.
At the height of street Carolines, we find “Casa Vicens”. This building was the first important work of the famous architect Gaudí. It was built between 1883 and 1888 on a basis of tiles. The interior of the building has Arab influences.