Barcelona’s Unusual Chamfered Street Blocks

The iconic grid of Barcelona’s Eixample district features blocks with distinctively cut-off corners. These chamfered edges were designed to give horse-drawn carriages better visibility and extra turning space.

Urban planner Ildefons Cerda designed this expansion in the mid-19th century to prioritize sunlight and air circulation. By cutting the corners of every block, he created small open areas that improved traffic flow and safety for early vehicles. Today, these octagonal spaces serve as charming outdoor cafes and parking zones. It remains one of the most brilliant examples of visionary urban planning in history.