Montjuic is a famous mountain both in Barcelona and throughout Spain. It is located in the southern part of the city, its height is 173 meters. It hosted the World's Fair in 1929 and the Summer Olympics in 1992. Montjuic Mountain attracts many tourists due to its large number of parks and attractions. Residents of Barcelona also love to spend time here. The history of the origin of Mount Montjuic has not yet been precisely determined. There are two main versions. According to one, it could be the “Mountain of Jupiter” (lat. mons Jovicus), according to another - “Mountain of the Jews” (old Catalan Mont juïc ).
Thanks to its favorable location, Montjuic has always played a strategic role in the life of the city. Once upon a time, this elevated place was chosen by the Iberians for settlement. In 1640, a fortress was built here to protect the territory, the bastions of which were used for many years to protect Barcelona from both sea and land. Gradually, the defensive functions were lost, and in the XX century the mountain turned into a public park.
Montjuic has many attractions.
First of all, visit the "Magic Fountains" (Font Màgica) at the foot of the mountain . There you will enjoy wonderful colors and music.
Above them is the National Art Museum of Catalonia - (MNAC), which 1934 is located in the National Palace.
The building in the classic Spanish Renaissance style was built in 1926 and offers a magnificent panorama of the city.
MNAC is the world's main center of Romanesque art, but you can also enjoy the Gothic period and masterpieces from XIX-XX centuries. The Romanesque art movement is characterized by elongated shapes and bright colors. Its heyday dates back to the XI-XIII centuries. Most of the Romanesque art collected here comes from old churches throughout the Iberian Peninsula. In the museum you will see works by Picasso, Dali, Gaudi, Velazquez, El Greco, Rubens, Goya and others.
The museum contains:
- department of Catalan numismatics, coins, medals and coinage;
- department of painting and engraving;
- art history library;
- photo section;
- fiction section;
- Gothic section;
- sections of the Renaissance, Baroque (including the Thyssen-Bornemisza collection), XIX-XX centuries.
Here are some snippets:
Entrance to the museum is paid. Ticket price:
- for adults - 12 euros;
- under 16 and over 65 years old - free.
- on Saturdays from 15:00, on the first Sunday of every month and on open days - free.
To buy tickets online and for more information, visit the museum's official website: http://www.museunacional.cat.
Calatrava TV Tower (aka Telefonika TV Tower):
This neo-futuristic style tower was built in 1992 according to the design of Santiago Calatrava. Its height is 136 meters.
Olympic Complex (Olympic Ring):
The complex includes a stadium, two swimming pools, an institute of physical education, a museum dedicated to the Olympic Games and the sports palace Sant Jordi:
Montjuic Castle - Castell de Montjuïc:
This is one of the main historical buildings of Barcelona. Originally there was a watchtower here, which has not survived to this day. The current castle was built in 1640 during the Catalan uprising against the Habsburg dynasty. In 1940, Luis Companys, the head of the Catalan government, was shot here. In 1963, a military museum was opened there.
Joan Miró Foundation - Fundació Joan Miró:
Joan Miró is a famous Spanish avant-garde and surrealist artist. He, like Salvador Dali, is the real pride of the Catalans. The building displays works by Miró and his contemporaries: paintings, graphic miniatures, sculptures and even huge tapestries that help activate the visitor's imagination. Exhibitions are also held here.
Entrance is paid and costs 12 euros.
"Spanish Village" (Poble Espanyol):
Like the Magic Fountains of Montjuic, the Spanish Village was created in connection with the 1929 International Exhibition. It represents natural, life-size or slightly reduced copies of more than a hundred historical monuments from different regions of Spain. Houses, monasteries, castles and fortresses typical of Catalonia, Aragon, Castile and other regions are located on an area of 40 thousand square meters.
The main square (Plaza Mayor) is considered the center. The museum is also called an open-air city of artisans. Here you will see how clay and glass vessels, textiles and leather are made. You can go to shops and cafes. You really won't be bored.
Admission is paid. Ticket price:
- 12 years and older - 14 euros;
- for students - 10.50 euros;
- for pensioners - 9 euros;
- for children 4-12 years old - 9 euros;
- up to 4 years - free.
To buy tickets online and for more information, visit the official Spanish Village website: http://www.poble-espanyol.com.
CaixaForum Barcelona:
This unique center for contemporary art and culture is housed in a modernist building (former textile factory). CaixaForum Barcelona offers a variety of programs: from theatrical performances and music concerts to thematic art exhibitions and children's events.
On Mount Montjuïc there is also the Botanical Garden (Jardí Botànic de Barcelona):
and Jardins Mossèn Costa i Llobera, in which only exotic plants grow:
Archaeological Museum of Catalonia (Museu d'Arqueologia de Catalunya):
The museum has existed since 1991. Here are exhibits telling about the development of Catalonia.
Ethnological Museum (Museu Etnològic):
The museum was built and has been operating since 1973. It contains up to 5,000 artifacts depicting both local and Asian, African, American and Oceanic cultures. The emphasis is on the social aspects of each region, their similarities and differences.
Mount Montjuic starts from the Spanish Square. To get there, use:
- red L1 and green L3 metro lines - stop Pl. Spain;
- you can climb Mount Montjuic on foot, by bus No. 55, 150 or by funicular Montjuïc , which runs from the Paral.lel metro station (L2/L3 line). From Montjuic Mountain you can take a cable car up to Montjuic Castle. Detailed information about tickets can be found in the article Barcelona Public Transport.
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