The 19th century transformed Barcelona into Spain’s industrial capital, with booming textile factories, railroads, and a newly empowered bourgeoisie. The city expanded beyond its medieval walls, and the Eixample grid was born. Alongside prosperity came deep social inequality, leading to labor unrest, anarchist movements, and the first general strikes. Culturally, the Catalan Renaixença (Renaissance) sparked a revival of language and literature. By the century’s end, Barcelona was at once vibrant, turbulent, and full of revolutionary energy.