Gràcia

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. A prosperous neighborhood, Gràcia nonetheless has more a local than a cosmopolitan feel to it, with much of life lived on the many public squares. It's also a very good place to start (or finish) a walk through the most important modernist buildings. A good place to stay in an hotel. Check out any plaza and it will most likely be humming with life and vibrancy.

Gràcia was established in 1626, by a novitiate of Carmelites who established a convent there called "Nostra Senyora de Gràcia (Our Lady of Grace)." Gràcia was an independent municipality until it was annexed to Barcelona in 1897 along with other villages in the plain of Barcelona. The expansion of the Eixample district in the 19th century eventually led to the northward expansion of Barcelona, connecting Gràcia to the growing metropolis.

Gràcia was also the original home to Teatre Lliure, one of the most prestigious theaters in Spain (the theater has since relocated to Montjuic). There are several notable squares in Gràcia including Plaça del Sol, Plaça de Rius i Taulet and Plaça de la Virreina.

The most well-known attraction in Gràcia is the Gaudí-designed Parc Güell which is located on El Carmel mountain. Casa Vicens, Gaudí's first important work and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is also located in Gràcia.

Park Guell

The Park Guell is a 17, 18 ha wide garden complex with architectural elements situated on the hill of el Carmel in the Gràcia district of Barcelona, Catalonia. It was designed by the Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí and built in the years 1900 to 1914. It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site "Works of Antoni Gaudí". The park was originally part of a commercially unsuccessful housing site, the idea of Count Eusebi de Güell, whom the park was named after. It was inspired by the English garden city movement; hence the original English name Park.

Casa Vicens

The Casa Vicens is a family residence in Barcelona, designed by Antoni Gaudí and built for industrialist Manuel Vicens. It was Gaudí's first important work. It was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Site "Works of Antoni Gaudí" in 2005. It was built in the period 1883-1889 and is located at Carrer de les Carolines 24, in the Gràcia district of Barcelona. The site was small (smaller today after the widening of the street) compared to similar structures in the area.

Festa Major de Gracia

Every August, Gràcia holds an 8-day festival "Festa Major", known as Festes de Gràcia, one of the largest festivals in Barcelona. The Festa Major de Gracia, is a week long festival that displays the best of Catalan with a mass celebration in the streets. One of the most popular events is the 'Best decorated street', where residents from 23 neighboring streets use anything and everything to decorate their street in a theme and vie for the prize.