Gràcia

Gràcia is a district in Barcelona that was earlier an own municipality. The village became a part of Barcelona in 1897 as i grew together with the city after the development of the Eixample district. The area still has it's own spirit very different from Eixample, with small squares, independent shops and foreign restaurants. It reminds more of Barrio Gothico and El Born with the narrow streets and building typology, but in a smaller scale wich gives more sunlight to the narrow alleys.

The area has kept its neighbourhood spirit with local residents meeting in the squares, kids playing in the playgrounds, and it's also less touristic than downtown Barcelona. Allthough, the area has been through a gentrification process for some years. The area now also has a more international apperance, both with tourists walking the streets to experience the local attractions and some hidden Gaudi hotspots, and new citicens that are running exotic bars and restaurants with flavours all over the world.

As a part of the gentrification, there is also a lot of young people living in the area making the nightlife vivid. A lot of independent shops and workshops can be spotted in addition to the different culinaric experiences. In Torrent de l'Olla you can find a lot of vintage shops, and in Placa Revolució you can get the best ice cream in Barcelona made by the owners themselves without any additives.



- Small squares and narrow streets are tipical for Gràcia -

- Gaudi have several different projects is Grácia less famous. He contributed in the rearmament of Placa de la Virreina and the San Juan church. -


- Casa Vicens is another project made my Gaudi. It was built as a home for the industy giant Vicens, owning a tile fabric. Therefore the building consists of different kinds of tile on the facade in addition to Gaudi's familiar style and some recognizable elements like the fence. -- Another Gaudi building, a small theatre. -


- The warm climate allows palm trees to grow in the small parks and parrots to live in the treetops. Very excotic for a norwegian from the cold north... -

In comparison to Norway, Gácia somehow reminds about an old worker district in Oslo named Grünerløkka. Here quarter blocks was built to house the working class. The area was very poor for several years, but has during the last 20 years been through a gentrification process and is now a very popular area to live in and spend time for young people. A lot of independent shops, vintage stores, bars and small cafèes can be spotted, and even the small squares somehow reminds about a northern version of Grácia.

Helle_Norway