Gran Via

Here’s the famous Gran Via, the city’s main street, facing a picture-perfect landmark: the Metropolis Building. A phoenix once stood at its top, back when the building belonged to La Unión y el Fénix. Since then, the phoenix has flown away to leave room for a winged victory statue, gracefully topping the dome ornated with 40 000 golden leafs. Know that the Gran Via was the longest project to finish in Spain. Inspired by Haussmannian architecture in Paris, the architects imagined a space that would aerate the city centre as well as connect the northern part of the city to the west. The plan involved carving out a wide boulevard into three sections, demolishing over 300 houses while preserving three religious buildings. The first sketches were drawn in 1862, but every stage seemed to take a decade. Indeed, the project was presented in 1899, construction began in 1910, and was finally completed in 1929. A final renovation in 2018 transformed the boulevard into a more pedestrian-friendly space, allowing you to stroll peacefully while admiring the beautiful façades belonging to the grand buildings lining the street.