Gràcia

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Districts of Barcelona: Gràcia can be seen in Red
Districts of Barcelona: Gràcia can be seen in Red

Gràcia is a district of the city of Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. The district contains the neighborhoods of Vallcarca, Penitents, El Coll, La Salut and Camp d'en Grassot. Gràcia is bordered by the districts of Eixample to the south, Sarrià-Sant Gervasi to the west and Horta-Guinardó to the east. In 2005, Gràcia had 120,087 inhabitants, according to the Instituto Nacional de Estadística.

[edit] History

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. The expansion of the Eixample district in the 19th century eventually led to the northward expansion of Barcelona, connecting Gràcia to the growing metropolis.

[edit] Landmarks

Parc Güell
Parc Güell

The most well-known attraction in Gràcia is the Gaudí-designed Parc Güell which is located on El Carmel mountain.

Gràcia is also home to Teatre Lliure, on of the most prestigious theaters in Spain. There are several notable squares in Gràcia including Plaça del Sol, Plaça de Rius i Taulet and Plaça de la Virreina.

Every August, Gracia hold an 8-day festival called "Festa Major," one of the largest festivals in Barcelona.

[edit] External link


 

Barcelona districts
Ciutat Vella | Eixample | Gràcia | Horta - Guinardó | Les Corts | Nou Barris | Sant Andreu | Sant Martí | Sants - Montjuïc | Sarrià-Sant Gervasi