Self-Guided Architectural Walks: Discovering Modernism in Eixample and Art Nouveau in Prague

The Street Is the Real Museum

Some of Europe’s greatest artistic movements occurred on building facades rather than inside canvas frames. By taking a self-guided architectural walk, you can experience architectural history without paying admission.

Route 1: The Modernisme Triangle in Barcelona (Eixample)

• Start: Plaça de Catalunya.
• Route: Walk northwest up Passeig de Gràcia. At the 'Illa de la Discòrdia' (Block of Discord), compare three competing architectural masters sitting side-by-side: Gaudí’s organic dragon-scaled Casa Batlló, Puig i Cadafalch’s gothic-stepped Casa Amatller, and Domènech i Montaner’s floral Casa Lleó Morera. Continue four blocks further to Gaudí’s undulating stone wave, Casa Milà (La Pedrera).

Route 2: Prague Art Nouveau & Cubist Facades

• Start: Náměstí Republiky.
• Route: Admire the grand mosaics and wrought-iron balconies of the Municipal House (Obecní dům). Walk through the Powder Tower down Celetná street to discover the House of the Black Madonna, the world’s premier example of Cubist architecture. Continue across the river to Vinohrady along Vinohradská avenue to view pastel Secession residential portals.