From the southwest, a steep tower rises above Barcelona. Mount Montjuic, which previously played a significant role in the defensive, and now - in the cultural and sports life of the city. Here you can spend at least half a day exploring the sights located here. But the territory of Montjuic is vast, so the walk must be carefully planned, taking into account the different opening times of the facilities.
Let us first give list of the main interesting places to visit in the vicinity of Montjuic:
— Magic fountains(Font Magica) - spectacular light and music show (opening hours: May-September Thursday-Sunday 20.00-24.00, October-April Friday-Saturday 19.00-20.00)
— Fortress Montjuic (official name Castell de Montjuic, so guidebooks may call her Castle Montjuic... Built in the 18th century. Conveniently located on a hill, the fort served as both a military base and at one time a prison. Here you can freely walk along the ramparts and take photos from different points - from the fortress down a beautiful panoramic view of the port of Barcelona and the northern beaches.
Inside the fortress, in the central tower there is War Museum of Barcelona(open from mid-March to mid-November, Tuesday-Sunday 9.30-17.00), there are models of the most famous Catalan castles, a collection of weapons, maps, military uniforms and awards.
— Juan Miro Foundation... This is the most famous Catalan artist (1893-1983), his bright, richly painted works in the style of abstract art will not leave your child indifferent! They will be clear to him, as if he himself drew them, swinging in a chair and singing a song.
The foundation presents the most complete collection of Juan Miro's works, consisting of paintings, sculptures, ceramics, textiles, prints and drawings by the artist.
The museum is open: October-June from Tuesday to Saturday 10.00-19.00, July-September 10.00-20.00, on Thursdays until 21.30, on Sundays until 14.30.
Website www.bcn.fjmiro.es
— Olympic venues on Mount Montjuic, the most attractive of them is the Olympic Stadium with a capacity of 65 thousand people. It was built in 1929, completely renovated for the Barcelona Olympics (opening and closing ceremonies were held here). The Olympic Gallery is open for visiting (a kind of museum of the stadium, open on weekdays from 10 to 13 and from 16 to 18 hours), a beautiful view of the city opens from the terrace.
Other facilities nearby: Sports University, Bernat Picornell sports complex (swimming pools, gyms), Sant Jordi sports and concert hall (created according to a Japanese project from glass and steel)
Montjuic - how to get there, how to plan a route
Conveniently, if you inspect the Montjuic mountain on the day when you have tickets for. The routes of both the Barcelona Bus Turistic and the Barcelona City Tour cover many of Montjuïc's tourist attractions. In this case, your walk will be "predetermined" bus route: went to the stop that interested you - examined - drove on.
If tourist bus you do not use, then the route can be like this: first funicular from Parallelo metro station. It takes you up to Montjuic to a stop Teleferika- cable car with cabins. Buy a round-trip ticket to Teleferik and visit the fortress located above and the Military Museum.
When you return, walk down the Avenguda de Miramar to the Juan Miro Foundation. Then by choice:
- to the left (higher up the mountain) the road leads to the Olympic buildings and the botanical garden;
- to the right (below) - to the MNAC Museum, fountains, the Spanish Village.
You can follow this path in the reverse order, start the inspection from the Plaza de España (metro Placa d'Espanya), visit the MNAC and / or the Spanish Village. And then you have to climb the hill.
Therefore, the advice is this: find out exactly what else you would like to visit (based on the age of the child and the available time) and go to the information point located to the right of the Magic Fountain - there you will be prompted on which bus route it is easier to get there so as not to go with a child walking a lot.
Barcelona also has cable car, which goes to Mount Montjuic from the port area (Metro Barceloneta). But from the "landing place" to the listed sights, you still need to go significantly, so this method is best used when, after sightseeing, you need to quickly return to the Port.
List of attractions on Montjuic. Description of the sights on the Montjuïc mountain.
Mount Montjuic is located in the southern part of Barcelona, near commercial port... Previously, there was a Jewish cemetery, which may have given the name to this place: according to one version, Montjuïc sounded in the Old Catalan language, which translates as “Jewish Mountain”.
Today, this 177 m high hill has become a favorite vacation spot for Barcelona residents and many travelers. On its slopes there are various museums, attractions, entertainment centers... Many people spend all day here, wandering through the green alleys and admiring the historical monuments. Walking trails run throughout the mountain, separated from the embankment by Ronda de lLitoral avenue.
Thanks to its convenient location, Montjuïc has always played a strategic role in the life of the city. It was this hill that was once chosen for the settlement of the Iberians. To protect the territory in 1640, a fortress was built on the top of the mountain, the bastions of which were used for many years to defend Barcelona against attacks from sea and land.
Gradually, the protective functions were lost, and in the 20th century the mountain turned into a public park, the largest not only in Spain, but throughout Europe. This site was chosen to host the 1926 World's Fair, and in 1992 attracted many participants and guests of the Olympic Games. The facilities built for this event are still visited with pleasure by Barcelonaans.
The centuries-old history of this most famous mountain in Spain is told by monuments and structures that amaze with the interweaving of architectural styles. Here you can see how medieval castle and houses typical of the Spanish countryside, as well as modern and sports facilities.
What can you see at Montjuïc?
Magic fountain
It is located at the very foot of the mountain from the side of the Plaza de España. If in the afternoon it's easy beautiful fountain, which looks spectacular against the backdrop of the National Palace (Palau Nacional), then in the evening the real magic begins.
To the sounds of constantly changing melodies, the lighting and the shape of the water jets change. As a result of carefully calculated and selected effects, various magical pictures emerge.
National Museum Art of Catalonia (Museo Nacional de Arte de Cataluña, MNAC)
This museum, opened in 1990, provides an opportunity to enjoy masterpieces of all eras from the Renaissance, Gothic or Baroque to modernism and contemporary art. The collection of novels on display is one of the largest in the world.
The museum is located in the restored Palau Nacional building, built for the opening of the World Exhibition. For his creation for the Pavilion of Electricity, the architect Pedro Sendoi Oscos chose the neo-baroque style.
Spanish village
This is an original museum of architecture, where right below open air 117 copies of buildings are located. Some of them are made in full size, others are scaled down. But the accuracy and reliability of their manufacture is especially striking.
The originals of these buildings, representing different styles and eras, can be seen in different parts of Spain. The Spanish Village (Poble Espanyol), built in 1929, became part of the International Exhibition. Handicraft workshops and numerous souvenir shops have become an important part of this site.
Olympic ring of Barcelona
In Barcelona, for the XXV Summer Olympics, many objects were built, which are located on the Montjuïc mountain around television tower Calatrava. In Barcelona, the Olympic Ring (L'Anella Olímpica de Montjuïc) includes the Sant Jordi Sports Palace, called the Catalan Coliseum, the Estadio Olímpico athletics stadium, swimming pools for aquatic species sports Montjuic and Picornell. This ring also includes the Institute of Physical Education and the Museum dedicated to the Olympics.
The Joan Miró Foundation Museum in Barcelona
Connoisseurs of contemporary art will be interested in Exhibition Center the famous surrealist painter Joan Miró - Fundació Joan Miró, which presents both the works of the master himself and his contemporaries. The first glance at the building of the museum, erected in the style of cubism, makes the visitor expect something unusual.
Fortress (castle) of Montjuic
Located at the very top of the mountain, the fortress (Castell de Montjuïc) has been completely reconstructed since its construction in the 18th century. The original defensive significance of the castle has been lost.
For some time, a prison was located within its walls, and in 1963 the Military Museum was created here. The bastions of the fortress allow you to admire the stunning panorama of Barcelona and the seascape.
City of dead
Oddly enough, a tour of the cementerio de Montjüic in Barcelona, open to the public from 8 am to 6 pm daily, can be exciting and informative. In Spain, death is treated philosophically, considering it a source of knowledge not only of historical and cultural heritage but also modernity.
Looking at the neoclassical tombs and mausoleums in the Montjuïc cemetery, one can imagine the Barcelona of yesteryear. Beautifully executed by architects, including very famous ones, sculptures and pantheons tell a lot about people who once lived, belonging to different social strata, their morals, sorrow and joy.
In Barcelona, between Montjuïc Castle and the Olympic Stadium, on the southeast side of the mountain, there is a botanical garden (Jardí Botànic de Barcelona), a visit to which will cost only 3.5 euros. It was created in 1999 not so much for tourist excursions as for studying plants around the world.
The flora of all continents is represented here, including Australia, Africa and both Americas, in particular Chile and California. However, the main specialization of Jardí Botànic is the cultivation and protection of plants characteristic of the Mediterranean climate. A separate section dedicated to vegetation Canary Islands.
Mossen Gardens Costa y Llobera
Another park in Barcelona is located on a slope descending to the sea. This garden (Jardins Mossèn Costa i Llobera) bears the name of the famous Spanish poet Michael Costa y Llober and invites everyone to admire the exhibition for free.
This is the only park in Spain whose theme is entirely dedicated to exotic plants. The collection includes many types of palms, more than a dozen of which are not found in Spain, more than 800 species of succulents, including cacti. Created back in 1970, the gardens were closed for 5 years in 2006, but now they again delight and surprise visitors.
How to get to Montjuïc? 3 options
It is of course possible to get around Montjuïc on foot by following the many paths, but Barcelona's transport system provides several ways to get to your destination.
Bus
This is the most traditional form of transport. There are several routes from the center of Barcelona, passing through the territory of Montjuïc.
Each country has its own pearl. For Spanish Barcelona, a city that combines seascapes, mountain ranges and a large number historical monuments, such, without a doubt, is the Montjuïc mountain, which attracts a huge number of tourists. Every metropolis, anywhere in the world, has its own special places, which its inhabitants are proud of, consider them their emblems. Montjuic is such an emblem for Barcelona.
The mountain stretches in a unique place, close to it is sea port, which creates an even more attractive view from the mountain. Her most high part rises above sea level by more than 170 meters - which gives a good opportunity to admire a beautiful view of the sea and the city landscape from a bird's eye view.
Once upon a time in antiquity, the mountain was called Mons Jovis, a tribute to the Temple of Jupiter. And only many years later, it began to be called the "Jewish Mountain" - Mont juïc, which is exactly how it is translated from the old Catalan language Montjuïc. Why did they start to call it that way? Most likely, due to the fact that the traveler who descended from its slope saw the cemetery of the Jews. It was only later that an observation post was erected at this place to keep the sea coast under control.
How to get there
Those wishing to visit the mountain will not find it particularly difficult to get to it and admire its beauty. Everyone can choose a suitable transport for himself:
- there is a regular bus running here with the Barcelona - Montjuïc route with the city route number 150.
- if the bus seems to someone not very romantic for traveling to such a historical landmark, it can take this path on foot - the mountain is located in the southern part of the city.
- for those who like to look at everything from a height, a special type of delivery is offered - a funicular. First, you will need to make a trip to m. Parall, then use the funicular, which will take the traveler Avvinguda de Miramar. After that, the cable car can deliver to the fortress itself.
Tens of thousands of tourists climb the mountain or climb by funicular every year at any time of the year. And this is not accidental, because once on the mountain during the excursion, a person is no longer able to just leave this place. It literally captures with its variety of impressions. Having gone on an excursion, tourists often spend the whole day in hobbies there, enjoying many unique places, including monuments of ancient Italian culture, modern attractions. At the very foot of the mountain, those who wish are given a unique opportunity to visit one of the most grandiose European parks, whose area is almost 70 thousand hectares.
History
Montjuïc Mountain, Barcelona has a rich shared history. Several centuries ago, the mountain was the protector of the city. The formation of the city was a small village named by the locals Barcino, after the one who founded it. No housing was built on the mountain itself, as there were very great difficulties with water supply for this area. This situation persisted almost until the middle of the 17th century.
When an uprising took place on Montjuic, and this happened in 1640, the authorities decided to build an observation point - the Military Fortress. It took only one month to build the fortress - even now it is a short time, and for that time it was truly a record. Now the Military Historical Museum functions here.
Then there were numerous battles, the consequences of which can still be observed - the mountain took over the destroyed defensive structures, superimposed on each other. And to the present day, only the casemates and walls of the fortress, built in the 17th century, have survived.
When the military battles for the Spanish crown ended, by order of the new King Philip V, the fortress was demolished and the original castle resembling a star was built. Over the years, this fortification, as often happens in such cases, began to perform the unpleasant function of a prison castle. Those who went against the government were imprisoned here. It was also the site of torture and execution. And although the castle underwent reconstruction, which the authorities carried out after the middle of the 18th century, the fortress literally until the forties still bore traces of a place of political terror when Luis Companus, the head of Catalonia, was sentenced to death.
What to see?
In the late sixties, Franco issued a decree to create a Military Museum in the Château de Montuc on the site of the fortress. This interesting and in its own way unique museum still attracts many tourists. In it, lovers of antiquity can get acquainted with a widely presented collection of weapons - antiques, a variety of exhibits, and lovers of military uniforms can see with their own eyes how the military of many countries of the world dressed since the fifteenth century.
Among the exhibits presented, museum visitors are of particular interest to those exhibits that acquaint tourists with the monuments of Catalan and Arab history. They contain a large number of sea battles. Nowadays, deep ditches no longer cause those terrible impressions - pleasant, eye-pleasing lawns grow on them. And the fortress bastions were assigned the role of observation platforms. From them you can admire the local panorama: a beautiful city Barcelona, especially at night, like the seaport, is flooded with lights. All this complements the overall picture of impressions.
Avant-garde lovers who have visited Montjuïc can admire the Agbar Tower with pleasure - the architecture of this building has just an avant-garde design. Connoisseurs will probably find in it a resemblance to the skyscraper 30 St. Mary Ax is the brainchild of London architect Foster. The shape of the building resembles a cucumber, which is why it is nicknamed “Catalan cucumber”. It also has a unique attraction - the presence of LED matrices. This "assortment" gives the impression that the visitor of the tower sees the image of the ancient monuments of Catalonia made of multi-colored ceramic fragments.
Museum of art
If you climb to the very top of Montjuic, you will see a magnificent sight - the National Palace of Catalonia. It was designed by the engineer Carles Bugais. Given the scale and importance of this building, the Palace serves as the main gathering place for the most important events. At the beginning, the Museum of Art was opened in it, it was almost a century ago - in 1934, then in the nineties it was transformed, it became the National Museum of Art of Catalonia.
And this is not some provincial museum - here connoisseurs and simply lovers of real art can appreciate the whole complex of painting masterpieces and sculptural creations. It also contains collections of prints, photographs, numismatics. The museum is rightfully considered one of the world centers of Romanesque art. To this should be added a rich set of masterpieces of medieval Spanish art.
For tourists with children, it will be very interesting to visit the Joan Miro Foundation-Museum. There are unique and bizarre compositions here, for example, a mercury fountain.This spectacle may appeal not only to young visitors, but also to an adult audience.
When evening falls and the sky begins to exude coolness, young people, tourists and residents of the surrounding places begin to flock to the foot of the mountain to enjoy the mesmerizing, and absolutely free, and unforgettable spectacle. These are the singing fountains (FontMagica). They are often called magical because they, in fact, have a magical aura and literally make you admire the bewitching musical overflows of water, music and light.
Olympic ring
The 1992 Olympic Games became a significant event for the Spaniards. Montjuïc was carefully prepared for this. A thorough reconstruction was carried out here, as a result of repairs not only the old buildings were subjected, but the intensive construction of new ones began. The culmination of the grandiose construction was the commissioning of the modern Olympic Ring complex, built on the basis of ancient buildings. At the same time, "skyscrapers" - the Mapfe glass tower and the Arts design hotel - were built near the mountain - today the highest buildings in the country.
Another attraction of the mountain is the Olympic Gallery, which was created on the basis of the Olympic Stadium. There are few museums in Europe that are dedicated to sports - the Gallery is one of the few museums. It is clear that its exhibits carry a patriotic orientation, glorify events that are important and significant for the city and country, nevertheless, they are very interesting to a wide range of spectators.
Next to the stadium, you can see the "Sant Jordi", built two years before the Olympics by Japanese architects, the Sports Palace. Its arena is a great place where you can successfully organize both concerts and basketball sports.
It is impossible not to highlight another remarkable building, the famous swimming pool, named after the eminent Spanish swimmer Ricier, who became the founding father of the national swimming federation. The place where the pool is located provides an opportunity to enjoy the panoramic view of Barcelona.
At the end of the sixties of the last century, Montjuïc had a Formula 1 track, which was allocated roads public use... Seven years later, when five spectators died as a result of the tragedy, it was decided to equip a special track for the races.
"Spanish Village"
This name was given to the ethnographic museum - it is one of the most famous sights of Montjuic. The beauty of this museum is that it is a "living" copy of the architectural styles, streets and houses of different parts of the country. It is no coincidence that it is not located in a building, on a mountain. Once in this cute Spanish village, tourists can taste national dishes that are prepared right there, in front of the eyes of Spanish chefs and culinary specialists. "Village" was worried difficult times, once it even occurred to the Spanish authorities to close the museum under the sun, it happened in 1929, when International Exhibition... But thank God, the residents of the city managed to defend this unique museum.
Finally
If you have chosen Spain as your travel destination, do not forget: Barcelona, Montjuïc - Amazing places for relax. Having visited this truly magical mountain, where life resembles a seething stream that does not stop either during the day or at night, you will plunge into the past and feel the wonderful "symbiosis" of antiquity and modernity. You need to visit it, it's worth it.
How to get to Montjuïc Mountain in Barcelona? Local observation deck, located at an altitude of 177 meters, is considered the best observation point from which a stunning view of the capital of Spain and its surroundings opens. In addition, the mountain is home to a huge number of museums, attractions, nightclubs and entertainment venues.
Google Maps / google.ru
Therefore, all guests of Barcelona must at least once climb this legendary mountain, and the following text will provide comprehensive information on how to get to the hill and the most interesting places on it worthy of attention.
Where is Montjuic located?
Montjuïc Mountain in Barcelona is located in the southern part of the metropolis next to the main commercial port. From coastline it is separated by a highway called Ronda Litoral. Translated from the old Catalan dialect, Montjuïc literally means "Jewish hill (or mountain)". According to another popular version, this hill received its name in honor of the Roman god Jupiter.
It is believed that the Iberians (an ancient Celtic people who settled these lands in the third century BC) were honored to become the first inhabitants of the area, located on an elevation of about 174 meters above the territory of modern Barcelona.
Mario Sánchez Prada / flickr.com
The Montjuïc Fortress was built in the middle of the seventeenth century as a reliable outpost providing security for the inhabitants of the Catalan capital. Its bastions made it possible to repel enemy attacks from both land and sea, but over time, the defensive function of the structure was lost.
When the famous dictator Franco ruled Spain, the castle began to act as a prison for political prisoners. It was here that the former president of Catalonia, Luis Companis, was executed. Today, one of the main stadiums in the country, located on the top of the mountain, is named in his honor. The opening ceremony of the 1992 Olympics took place here.
Later, a Jewish cemetery appeared on the slopes of the hill, and at its highest point - observation deck, which offers stunning views of Barcelona and its surroundings. At the moment, Montjuïc is literally buried in lush gardens and green shady alleys, communicating with each other through a huge number of walking paths.
Botanical Gardens of Costa i Llobera and Mossen
These botanical gardens were created in the seventies of the twentieth century on a hillside that overlooks the sea. The garden of Costa y Llobera owes its name to the famous Spanish poet. It is a unique combination of Mediterranean flora with all kinds of succulents and cacti of truly gigantic proportions.
Xavier Caballe / flickr.com
Due to the absence of wind and an abundance of sunlight, there is a microclimate here that allows you to feel at ease with various exotic trees growing in warmer latitudes.
It is interesting! The botanical garden features about 900 varieties of cacti and succulents, several dozen palms and exotic trees. You can meet in their Spain only on Montjuïc Mountain, as they are of African, American or Australian origin, and require special climatic conditions.
What is the best way to get to the botanical gardens?
The gardens of Llobera and Mossen Costa can be accessed through two entrances. It is most convenient to get to the lower one by bus number 21, and to the upper one, located on the mountain, there is a regular bus number 150.
Tourists are not charged any fees for visiting the botanical gardens.
The Magic Fountain of Montjuic is located at the very foot of the hill. Before the 1992 Olympic Games, a large-scale reconstruction of the fountain was made, after which it became a "singing" one. The magical atmosphere is supported by a huge number of colored spotlights.
José Manuel Romero / flickr.com
The grandiose system consists of 5,000 lighting elements, and the most sophisticated computer system controls the shape, strength and direction of the water jets. Colored geysers rise above fifty meters in height, which makes the local water show truly grandiose.
What transport can be used to get to the “Volshebnyh” fountains?
You can get to the place by using the city metro or by buying a ticket for bus number 150 or 13.
Anyone can watch the magic show absolutely free of charge. The schedule of performances varies depending on the season.
National Museum of Catalan Art
The building of the museum looks very impressive, and it is known all over the world for its unique collection of paintings. The Romanesque section of the museum is considered, without exaggeration, the largest and unparalleled section. Most of the exhibits presented in the Romanesque exhibition are fragments of wall frescoes and paintings that were collected in Catalan churches and cathedrals.
Leon G / flickr.com
The Gothic section of the museum displays paintings by famous Italian masters of the Middle Ages.
The Baroque and Renaissance Hall was created thanks to the efforts of patrons who donated paintings from their collections to the museum. The department of numismatics has collected a huge number of coins, the oldest of which date back to the sixth century BC. Also open to visitors Big hall dedicated to photography, section of engravings and section of drawings.
How to get to the museum?
You can get to the National Museum of Art by metro or bus number 55. The stop is called Museu Nacional.
An adult ticket costs € 12. Those who wish to visit the museum for free should come here on Saturday afternoon or the first Sunday of the month.
Montjuïc Castle was built by the Celts as a reliable defensive fortification, making the city impregnable. In the eighteenth century, a large-scale reconstruction of the bastion was carried out, after which it served as a prison for a long time. In the sixties of the twentieth century, the Spanish government decided to open a military museum within the walls of the castle.
dconvertini / flickr.com
Today, there are many rare examples of ancient small arms and military uniforms. On the territory of the castle there are medieval cannons of impressive size and other weapons.
How to get to the castle?
Having reached the Parallel station using the city metro, you need to take the funicular (you do not need to buy a separate ticket for it), then get off at the Montjuïc Park stop and change to the cable car, getting off at the Castell station.
Also, there is a bus number 150 to the fortress, the terminus of which is located on main square Barcelona. The entrance to the castle is absolutely free. You will have to buy a ticket only to visit the central tower, where the military museum is based.
Guided tour of the city of the dead
The Montjuïc cemetery is located on the side of a mountain overlooking the sea. Here you can look at the majestic Gothic tombs and crypts, scattered among cypress alleys and deserted streets in such a way that the visitor has the impression of walking through the most real dead city, in which there has long been no living soul.
Jon Ander / flickr.com
The cemetery was founded at the end of the nineteenth century, and today it is one of the largest cemeteries in Barcelona. More than one hundred and fifty thousand people are buried here.
The remains of many famous Spaniards lie here, including generals, singers, actors and even the notorious drug dealer Franco. According to one version, Enriqueta Marty is buried in a mass grave located in this cemetery, who has earned herself the gloomy fame of a murderer and a vampire who mocked children. There is a legend that at night her ghost wanders among the crypts and tombs in search of new victims.
How to get to the city of the dead?
V City of dead There are two entrances: one of them is located on the side of the main port, the other is located near the Montjuïc park.
You can get to the central entrance by means of regular buses (numbers 41, 26, 6 and 92) or by means of the city metro, reaching the station "Espanya".
The City of the Dead is open every day from 8 am to 6 pm, admission to the complex is free.
Guided tour of the Spanish countryside
A visit to the unique architectural museum called Poble Espanyol (Spanish Village) must be included in the excursion to the top of Montjuïc. Here are collected representatives of various styles and trends of different eras, from the most ancient to modern examples.
Oh Barcelona / flickr.com
In addition to the masterpieces of architecture, on the territory of the village you can take part in one of the many master classes in which potters, glass blowers, weavers, artists and other artisans teach everyone the basics of their art.
How to get to the village?
How to get to this authentic Spanish village, one of the top 3 most visited tourist sites in all of Barcelona? You can get here by train, metro or buses numbered 150, 23 and 13.
On Saturday and Sunday exhibition complex works all night until the morning, and on its streets there are numerous cafes and entertainment programs... Price entrance ticket for an adult is 12 euros.
Video: Barcelona Transport - Montjuïc Cable Car.
Ways to get to Montjuïc Mountain
In order to get from the central part of Barcelona to Montjuic, the easiest way is to use the services of the funicular of the same name de Montjuic. It was built in the twenties of the last century. Today, in just a few minutes, the funicular is able to lift four hundred passengers to a height of over 77 meters.
Peter Carr / flickr.com
Trains and buses leave every 10-15 minutes. When you reach the end station of the Parc Montjuic funicular, the most convenient way to climb to the top of the mountain is to use the cab, which moves along the cable car by means of a gondola lift.
Montjuic is a high hill (177 m) within the city limits of Barcelona. This is a large excursion zone, where museums, historical monuments, nightclubs, and attractions are concentrated. You can walk here all day!
The hill is located on the south side of the city, near the commercial port. It is separated from the embankment by the Ronda Litoral highway.
Montjuïc is called a mountain by the Barcelona people; its name is translated from Old Catalan - "Jewish Mountain" (Mont juïc). Now the gardens are noisy here, the alleys are green, there are many walking paths, and once there was a Jewish cemetery on the slope of the mountain.
Historians believe that the Iberians were the first to settle on Montjuïc. For a long time, the 170-meter hill was the most important strategic point of the city. In 1640, the Montjuïc fortress was erected here. Its bastions have provided the defense of the Catalan capital for over a century. In the 20th century, the mountain was turned into the largest public park in Europe. The famous World Exhibition took place here in 1929. By 1992, Olympic venues had sprung up on the hill.
The mountain is a favorite walking place for both city guests and local residents... From here you have a wonderful view of the port and Barcelona. Different intertwined here architectural styles: medieval castle on top of the mountain, rural architecture of the Spanish village, modern buildings of museums and Olympic facilities.
You can download the map of the walk on Mount Monjuik at.
Montjuïc sightseeing map
Attractions Montjuic
Magic fountain
At the foot of the mountain there is a unique "Magic Fountain" by Carlos Buigas - Font màgica de Montjuïc. This structure, indeed, creates magical effects: the number and shape of water flows change to the sound of music; the jets shine in delightful hues. The majestic Palau Nacional serves as a backdrop, and the fountain looks like a charming, animated picture.
More information about the Magic Fountain of Barcelona can be found.
National Art Museum of Catalonia
National Palace, home to the MNAC Museum (photo: Big in Jaypan)
The Catalan National Museum of Art (Museo Nacional de Arte de Cataluña, MNAC) was created in preparation for the World Exhibition. The Nacional Palace, built in neo-baroque style by the architect Pedro Sendoya Oscos, then served as the Pavilion of Electricity. In 1990, it was restored and transferred to the Museum, which has become the world's most important center for Romanesque art. It also contains artistic masterpieces of the Renaissance, Gothic and Baroque.
Read more about the Catalan National Museum of Art.
Spanish Village
A favorite tourist destination on Montjuic is the Spanish Village (Poble Espanyol), an open-air architectural museum. This is an area of rural houses, home to artisan workshops and many souvenir shops.
The Spanish Village was also built specifically for the 1929 exhibition. The complex includes 117 buildings erected in natural and reduced form. These are Spanish buildings from different eras, belonging to a variety of cultures. Architectural objects are made with a high degree of reliability.
For more information on the Spanish Village, see.
Go on these excursions:
Olympic ring of Barcelona
The Olympic Ring of Barcelona (L'Anella Olímpica de Montjuïc) at Montjuïc includes facilities built for the XXV Summer Olympics. The center of the complex is the famous TV Tower of Calatrava, around it are the Sant Jordi Sports Palace, the Estadio Olímpico stadium, the Picornell and Montjuïc pools, the Catalan Institute of Physical Education, and the Olympic Museum.
Learn more about the Olympic venues.
Juan Miro Foundation Museum
Art lovers should visit the exhibition center of the Fundació Joan Miró. The building, built in the style of Cubism, hides unusual paintings, sculptural groups, graphic miniatures and a huge tapestry within its walls. Miro worked in the original style of surrealism. In addition to the works of the master himself, the museum exhibits paintings by his contemporaries, exhibitions are held.
Fortress Montjuic
Fortress at the top of Montjuïc (photo: Christine Espino)
The bastion of the Castell de Montjuïc offers stunning views of the sea and Barcelona. The reconstruction of the castle was carried out in the 18th century, since then its appearance has been preserved. For many years, after the loss of its defensive significance, the old fort was a prison, and since 1963 the Military Museum has been opened in it.
Go on these excursions:
Botanical Garden in Barcelona
Botanical Garden (photo: patrimoni.gencat)
The Jardí Botànic de Barcelona is located on the southeastern slope of Montjuic. Its territory stretches between the Olympic Stadium and Montjuïc Castle. The botanical garden opened in April 1999. Its main task is not so much tourist as educational and protective, however, nature lovers will be able to see here not only plants growing in a Mediterranean climate, but also expositions are presented by plants from Australia, Chile, South and North Africa, California. A separate area is dedicated to the flora of the Canary Islands. The entrance to the Jardí Botànic costs € 3.5.
Mossen Gardens Costa y Llobera (photo: Jordi Peralta)
On the sea-facing slope of Montjuic, nature lovers can visit another park, the Jardins de Mossèn Costa i Llobera. They were created back in 1970 and are named after the poet Miquel Costa y Llober. For some time (2006–2011) the park was closed. Now, its doors are open to visitors. Unlike other gardens in Spain, exotic plants prevail on the territory of Jardins de Mossèn Costa i Llobera, there are several dozen palms of non-Spanish origin, but the special pride of the park is cacti and other succulents - there are more than 800 species of them here. The entrance is free.
How to get there?
Funicular
You can climb Montjuic different ways, but the most convenient is to use the Funicular de Montjuic, which has existed since 1928. It starts from the Paral-Lel metro and goes up to the Parc de Montjuic station. In a couple of minutes, the train lifts 400 passengers to a height of 76 m. Trains depart regularly, every 10 minutes.
Cable car
From the top station of the funicular, Parc Montjuïc, the cable car of Montjuïc (Telefèric de Montjuïc) departs. The gondola lift has existed since 1970; in 2007, its complete reconstruction was carried out. In the middle of the way, the road makes a turn and passes through the Mirador train station. The upper station is Castell Montjuic.
Bus
You can also get around Montjuic by buses: 13, 23, 55 (Plaza Catalunya - Montjuic Park), 107, 125 and 150 (from Plaza de España to Montjuic Castle).
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