Born out of a need to extend and modernise Barcelona, the Eixample district was the shop window for the city's bourgeoisie in the 19C and early 20C, mirroring its economic and cultural growth during this period. The 1850s saw the emergence of the Renaixença, a literary movement which preceded and inspired Modernism. Stroll through Eixample's streets, admiring the profusion of innovative materials used during the period: ceramics, polychrome glass, wrought iron etc, which add an unexpected touch to the massive facades.
