The Eixample district in Barcelona city centre comprises a very regular grid of streets from the late 19th century. The word "Eixample" means "extension" and explains exactly the formation of this city area, when the flourishing Barcelona spread west of its old Gothic Quarter. Today Eixample is the right place for shopping in its ritzy boutiques, for art tours in its fine galleries or for dining in its refined restaurants.

One of the most distinguished among the architects who designed this quarter in 19th century is Antoni Gaudí (1852-1926). Here is located his last and still uncompleted masterpiece - the famous neo-orthodox cathedral Sagrada Família and an array of other emblematic buildings. The multiple strange steeples of the cathedral, often surrounded by cranes and the building site below have turned into a symbol of the individualistic spirit of Barcelona. No matter whether you like it or not, this very ambitious building hides the tragic history of the architect's entire dedication to it. He wanted it to be his greatest and most famous work.

The construction works began in 1882 and continued more than 30 years, when they were interrupted by the World War I. When Gaudí died in 1926, only the Façana de la Nativitat (Nativity Façade) was entirely completed. The building process has been ended and started many times since then. It was made difficult by the constant personal conflicts, controversies and most of all by the lack of a plan - a very characteristic method of Gaudí. As late as 1986 the construction of the Façana de la Passió (Passion Façade) was commissioned to Josep Maria Subirachs, who added another aesthetic problem with his benumbed unappealing sculptures.

Antoni Gaudí was buried in the crypt of the cathedral, where divine service is performed. A little museum inside will tell you about the difficult moments in the history of Sagrada Família and the major role of the great architect. But the biggest attraction is the superb panoramic views over the city, revealing from one of the tallest steeples where you can climb by a special elevator.

A more successful work by Gaudí is Casa Milà, which most known as La Pedrera (The Quarry). It is located at the intersection of Carrer de Provença and Avinguda Diagonal, a short stroll south-west of Sagrada Família. This original and somewhat strange-looking residential building was constructed in the period from 1906 to 1912. Its vaulted attic floor is named Espai Gaudí (Gaudí Space), housing a display of drawings, photographs, models and audiovisual representation of the architect's works. From here you can access the famous and very often photographed roof-top terrace, adorned by sculptures in organic forms. The Catalan Caixa Bank, which is the owner of the building, organizes first-class art exhibitions on the first floor. The neighbouring souvenir shop and snack bar also deserve your attention.

The other architectural monuments by Gaudí in the close surroundings include: the 19th-century Casa Batlló on 43 Passeig de Gràcia, which was restored by the architect in 1904–1906; Casa Calvet on 48 Carrer de Casp, completed in 1900 for a local textile manufacturer; Torre de Bellesguard (Casa Figueras) on 16-20 Bellesguard - built in 1909 on the ruins of the 15th-cenury residence of the last Catalan king; Casa Vicens on 18-24 Carrer de les Carolines - a residence house built in 1888 for the family of Manuel Vicens.

One of the most colourful, vivid and large projects of Gaudí is Park Güell, located 2.5 km west of Sagrada Família, at the foot of El Carmel Hill, in the Gràcia area, right beyond Eixample. Its vast territory was initially planned to be a closed residential complex of 60 houses. But it appeared soon that these plots of land were unsaleable. Then the investor and main patron of Gaudí - Count Eusebi Güell decided to turn the area into a large park. Gaudí was commissioned for the project and allowed to fully unleashed his architectural fantasy. The result was a labyrinth of impressive entwined viaducts, staircases, pavilions, fountains, benches and twisted columns, decorated with the characteristic for the architect ceramic shreds of different size and shape. The buildings in the park are created with an impressive inspiration. You can book a one-hour guided tour of the park in the ticket-office of Casa Museu Gaudí. The museum itself is not very interesting as its display comprises only a little furniture and a small number of sketches by the architect.

Antoni Tàpies is another Catalan painter with the status of a regional institution. He gave the initiative for the creation of the cultural centre and museum Fundació Antoni Tàpies on 225 Carrer d'Aragó. It was completed in 1984 with the major aims to popularize the contemporary art, to display the representative collection of the painter's own works and to create a very rich referential library for modern and eastern art. The centre is housed in a reconstructed modernistic building.

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