Praktik Rambla

La Pedrera
The Mil? house, popularly known as La Pedrera (meaning quarry in Catalan), is a modernist work by architect Antoni Gaud?. Its construction spanned the four years from 1906 to 1910. Located at Paseo de Gracia 92, it was commissioned by the married couple formed by Pere Mil? i Camps and Roser Segimon i Artells. The building, which typifies Gaud?'s work, was designed with exclusively straight geometric lines that that form curves. One of the apartments in the building can be visited, as well as the balconies, which offer a superb view of Barcelona.

Casa Batll?
Situated at Paseo de Gracia 43, this house is one of the best known works by Antoni Gaud?, the preeminent representative of Catalonian modernism. The building is a complete remodeling of an existing structure, built from 1904 to 1906, which was on the lot when Gaud? tackled the project. The same city block, known as the ?Apple of Discord" (a pun on the Spanish word manzana, which means both apple and city block), is home to other well known works of modernist architects: the Amatller house, contiguous with the Batll? building, and which is the work of Josep Puig i Cadafalch; the Lle? Morera house, designed by Llu?s Dom?nech i Montaner; and the Miralles house, conceived by Enric Sagnier i Villavecchia.

The Paseo de Gracia
is Barcelona?s main avenue and one of the world?s most famous thoroughfares. It offers a rich showcase of outstanding works of modernist architecture by noted architects such as Antoni Gaud? and Llu?s Dom?nech i Montaner, declared World Heritage buildings, as well as prestigious international boutiques (Louis Vuitton, Yves Saint Laurent, Chanel, Jimmy Choo), Spanish chain stores (Mango, Zara, Vin?on), countless tapa bars, and design restaurants (Brown, Fish, Tragaluz).

The Rambla de Catalunya
is one of Barcelona?s most central?and most attractive?streets. It is lined by clothing stores, restaurants, bars, terrace bars and cinemas. The Rambla, whose center is a broad pedestrian area dotted with trees and benches to relax on, comes out onto the Plaza Catalunya. The extension of this Rambla is called the Ramblas, one of the city's most legendary streets because of its abundant flower and pet stalls, as well as the street actors who perform there.

Plaza Catalunya
The Plaza de Catalu?a is the largest and most centrally located square in Barcelona. With a surface area greater than five hectares, it is the space that joins the old city core with the newer urban expansion area.

This urban hub is the starting point for such major city thoroughfares such as the Rambla, the Paseo de Gracia, the Rambla de Catalu?a or the Rondas de Universidad and Sant Pere, Pelai street and the Avenida del Portal del ?ngel, Barcelona?s major commercial artery and once the site of a gate in the city walls.

Las Ramblas
This is one of the most emblematic streets in Barcelona. It connects the Plaza de Catalu?a (Pla?a de Catalunya in Catalan), the city's nerve center, with the old port. Las Ramblas are full of people all day and into the wee hours of the morning. The walk is peppered with newsstands, stalls selling flowers and caged birds, mimes, draftsmen, cafeterias, restaurants and shops. There are several points of interest in La Rambla, such as the Palacio de la Virreina (the Vicereine?s palace), the colorful Boquer?a market, and the famous Liceo theater, where operas and ballets are performed. The avenue comes out onto the old port at Portal de la Paz square, where the celebrated statue of Columbus stands.

Fundaci?n Antoni T?pies
The foundation was created in 1984 by the acclaimed Catalonian artist Antoni T?pies to promote the study and knowledge of modern and contemporary art. The building, on Arag?n street, was constructed by modernist architect Llu?s Dom?nech i Montaner between 1881 and 1885. It was one of the first buildings to integrate industrial typology and technology, combining iron and exposed brick, into the fabric of the city center. In addition to housing one of the most complete collections of T?pies? works and organizing exhibitions of them, the foundation combines the organization of temporary shows of other contemporary artists? work, symposia, lectures and film series with the production of a variety of publications that accompany the activities.

MACBA
El Museo de Arte Contempor?neo de Barcelona (Barcelona museum of contemporary art) shows works created during the second half of the 20th century. It is located in the El Raval district, quite near the Centro de Cultura Contempor?nea (Contemporary culture center). The spectacular building that houses the museum is the work of American architect Richard Meier.