The largest district and cultural heart of Barcelona, the Eixample district's symmetric grid-like layout holds a booming artistic, culinary and literary scene. Famous for it landmarks, the neighbourhood is rich with buildings in the classic Modernista style, as well as museums, restaurants and shops.The Eixample was laid out in the 19th century by engineer Ildefons Cerdà. Following the cholera epidemic that decimated Barcelona, the city's walls were knocked down, giving Cerdà the undeveloped land he needed to develop this masterpiece of urban design. The Plan Cerdà gave Barcelona its characteristic style, filled with orderly streets, sunlit buildings and chamfered street corners. Though the area around Caja is a little quieter, it's still bursting with life and energy, with colourful marketplaces and some lesser-known architectural gems! Things really get going when the sun sets and the night life of Eixample wakes up, with its countless lively bars and cafes to visit.