Montjuic in Barcelona: nine attractions on one mountain. Mount Montjuic - interesting objects and beautiful panoramas

Mount Montjuic can be safely called one of the most visited places in Barcelona. This place is so attractive for visitors, not only because the mountain offers breathtaking views of the city and its surroundings. In addition, there are many buildings and structures that today have already become cultural and historical centers. And one of oldest buildings mountains is rightfully considered the castle of Montjuic.

History and description

At the beginning of the 17th century, on the very top of the mountain, on a 170-meter cliff above the sea, a military fortress was built. At first, only a medieval watch tower stood on this site, but when the Spanish troops moved to Barcelona (the Segador uprising, also known as the “War of the Reapers”), a military bastion grew around it in just a few weeks, in a short time for such a structure. True, unfortunately, its construction did not help the Catalans escape from the royal troops, and even vice versa - captured over time, and then destroyed and rebuilt in the 18th century by the Bourbons, it became a symbol of the occupation of Barcelona for many years. Today we see in front of us exactly this building - reconstructed by military engineer Juan Martino Kermeno.


Entrance to the castle

Since 1751, when Kermegno undertook the restoration of the fortress, many fortifications were built here, additional cisterns appeared, including for drinking water. At the end of the 1700s, a kitchen for three thousand people was completed, there was even a period when the artillery was equipped with one hundred and twenty fire hydrants.

However, at the beginning of the 19th century, the castle was captured by French troops. After that, the gloomy cages of Montjuic become for a while a prison, and its courtyard - a place of execution: in 1919, 3,000 people of workers who participated in the conflict with Canada were imprisoned in it, and besides this, Catalan nationalists, anarchists, republicans and socialists. In 1938, 173 people were shot, and in 1940, the head of the Catalan government, L. Companus, was executed on the territory of the castle - he was detained in France and taken into custody in Montjuic.


It contains an exposition of modern and ancient uniforms and weapons from around the world. Here you can see a lot interesting exhibits- for example, knightly armor, tin soldiers (about 23 thousand bayonets), military documents, flags, maps and even models famous fortresses Catalonia.


In 2007, the castle was handed over to the city authorities of Barcelona, ​​​​in June 2008, a solemn reunification of the city and the fortress took place: the action was a magnificent celebration, in which both ordinary residents and tourists, as well as dance and song groups took part, exhibitions, seminars were opened. Today, one of the most important functions of this building is the preservation of historical and cultural values.


Evening castle

From March 3, 2014 interior spaces castle became available to tourists and residents of the city. Visitors to one of the main attractions of the city will now be able not only to walk around the castle, as it was before, but also to visit the tower, water tank and prison cells, which until now were closed from the eyes of tourists.

Ticket prices

A ticket for a tour of the castle will cost 5 euros, for children - 3 euros. Like all city museums, the castle can be visited free of charge on Sundays, as well as on national holidays.


View of the port from the castle grounds

How to get there


First you need to get to the foot of the mountain - you can take the metro (Paral.lel station, line L 3, line L 1) or tourist bus, stop Teleferic de Montjuic, then continue upward - on foot or by funicular. On it you can climb from the port or from Barceloneta beach to observation deck Miramar.

Price

A funicular ride from the port will cost 7 euros one way, from the beach - 10 euros.

The beautiful Barcelona is the most visited city in Spain, and it's no wonder. It has so much life, fun and attractions that it will last for a long time. One of the most favorite vacation spots for local population, and for numerous tourists is Montjuic - a mountain, or rather a hill, 177 m high, located in the southern part of the city, very close to the commercial port.

There is enough entertainment here for the whole day and night, and if the Catalans prefer to wander along the paths of the park spread on it, then museums and numerous attractions await visitors.

History of the mountain

It just so happened that the location of the hill is such that in ancient times it always had strategic importance, so its history is more related to the defense or guarding of the city. It is today that Montjuic (mountain) has lost its functions as an observation post and has become a place of "pilgrimage" for travelers eager for new experiences.

Once there were settlements of the Iberians, who monitored the sea and land from its height, but only in 1640 a real bastion was built here. Unfortunately, it was not preserved, since in the 18th century it was destroyed by the decree of King Philip V. True, after 50 years it was decided to restore, expand and strengthen it again. For a long time after that, the fortress was a prison.

Also Montjuic in Barcelona is known for its Jewish cemetery, thanks to which it got its new name. In ancient times, it was called Mount Jupiter (Mons Jovis), but with the advent of the cemetery, it became known as Mont juïc, which in ancient Catalan meant "Jewish mountain".

Today, numerous guests and residents of the city entertain themselves here.

Fountain of Montjuic

Built for the 1929 World's Fair, the magical fountain at the foot of Montjuic was completely transformed in 1992 for another significant event - the Summer Olympics. If earlier it was an ellipse, erected according to the project of engineer Carlos Buigos, around which jets of water were thrown out in the center different heights, then in modern form is a real work of art.

At night, an amazing show begins here, for which 2.5 million tourists come to Barcelona every year. A year before the Olympics, 3,000 specialists equipped it with lights and musical accompaniment. Interestingly, the music is constantly changing, and with it the vibrations and the height of the jets and their color.

Since then, Montjuic has been a mountain that has become the site of festivals held by the inhabitants of the city at the end of September, with fireworks and dancing. You can see the magic of the fountain:

  • every week from Thursday to Sunday, from April to September;
  • and also on Saturday-Sunday from October to the end of March.

This favorite place recreation of the local population - people specially come here to listen to the fountain after a week of work. No less praise it in their reviews and tourists.

Fortress of Montjuic

The first observation post on Mount Montjuic was built back in the 10th century, but this building rather combined a lighthouse and an observation deck, and only in 1640 a fortress appeared here, which served the Catalans well during the popular uprising.

Spain during this period was tedious with France, in which the Catalans stubbornly did not want to take part. In response, Madrid began to stifle them with unjust laws and taxes. The last straw was the murder of a reaper during a great church holiday. Which led to a real revolution. Its result was the union of Barcelona with France and 12 years of independence.

For the reapers who oppose the royal court, Montjuic has become a haven. The mountain was fortified with a fortress built in just 30 days, which nevertheless withstood the attacks of the Castilians.

The Spaniards really honor their history, so the fortress, after several reconstructions, has been perfectly preserved to this day, and now there is a museum here. military history. As travelers note, it is from here that the most stunning view of Barcelona opens.

City of Crafts

Ethno Museum under open sky also loved by locals and travelers alike. "Spanish Village" ranks 4th on the list

Here you can get acquainted with the various architectural styles of the country. It is amazing that, whether the buildings are full size or miniature, they are all built from the same material and the same technology that was used at the time they represent.

Spain, in which Montjuic is not the only attraction, has become the first country that embodied its way of life, architecture and culture in a single place. Later, such mini-cities and villages appeared in other countries.

For example, the recreated Plaza Mayor combines buildings from different eras from Castile, Catalonia, Navarra, Aragon, and Burgos. In the "Spanish Village" craftsmen of various directions work: potters, leather workers, glassblowers, weavers and many others. Here, students and schoolchildren are taught ancient crafts, and tourists can join them if they wish (as they write in their rave reviews).

At night, the village is completely transformed, as numerous pubs and cafes, nightclubs and restaurants open here, where you can see both the cancan and the famous flamenco. According to the guests of the city, night life the mountains are no less interesting than the daytime.

Catalan Art Museum

This museum is recognized as the best and most complete in its collection of paintings from the era of romanticism; wall paintings of the 12th-13th centuries have been preserved here, a large number of paintings by El Greco and Velasquez.

As its guests rightly say, 236,000 works by Spanish and European artists offer a glimpse into the development of art over the past thousand years.

Thanks to museum restorers, the world can watch unique frescoes, transferred from dilapidated churches, which can be found in the film, which I demonstrate in one of the halls. To study all the works, and even cover the storerooms, you will have to visit it many times.

Cemetery on the mountain

The attitude of the Spaniards to death is philosophical, so it does not surprise anyone here when they lead excursions to the cemetery. In that city ​​of the dead travelers get to know real people who once lived in this city who loved, suffered, were happy, rich or poor, they all now have a resting place, decorated with an interesting tombstone. It is for them that excursions are led here.

The guides offer 3 programs for visiting the cemetery - this is how Montjuic mountain can unexpectedly appear before a tourist. How to get here, everyone decides for himself: at the disposal of tourists there is a bus, a funicular and any type of transport will take you to the very top, from where Barcelona opens up to an admiring gaze from a bird's eye view.

Surely, Mount Montjuic, the sights of which we described in the article, will surprise and delight everyone who decides to visit Spain.

You need to devote a whole day to carefully familiarize yourself with each of them. You can do this both yourself and by picking up. You can find out more about Montjuic Mountain, as well as other places of interest in Barcelona, ​​by downloading the app.

Old castle erected at the top famous mountain, has long been considered military fortress. Until 1960, there was a prison where political prisoners were sent. Today, there is no trace of the former gloom and despondency - the walls of the castle are twined with picturesque lianas, and bright flower beds give it an elegant, solemn look.

Only weapons located on the territory of the castle remind of the times of wars and uprisings. Military documents, massive cannons, knightly armor and muskets of the Middle Ages coexist here with the most modern small arms.

The museum is open for visits: from November 1 to March 31: from Monday to Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00, including holidays; from April 1 to October 31: from Monday to Sunday from 10:00 to 20:00, including. You can see the castle itself, the cost of a ticket to the museum is 3-5 €.

Address: Carretera de Montjuic, 66

Museum opening hours:

  • Winter time: from October to April from Tuesday to Saturday - from 10 to 6 pm; Sunday and public holidays - from 10 am to 3 pm.
  • Summer schedule: from May to September from Tuesday to Saturday - from 10 to 8 pm; Sunday and public holidays - from 10 am to 3 pm.

Address: Mirador del Palau Nacional

Ticket price - 12 €.

Opening hours: Tuesday - Sunday - from 10 am to 8 pm, Thursday - until 21.30.

Address: Parc de Montjuic s/n

Ticket price - 12 €.

The most remarkable of them can be called Olympic, the entrance to which is guarded by two equestrian statues. It was here that the summer holidays opened and closed. Olympic Games 1992. The stadium also has its own gallery-museum. Olympic venues include olympic ring representing a whole festivals.

It is very pleasant to walk along the mountain during the day. In hot weather, the midday Barcelona heat in the shade of trees is perceived much easier. You can also book a tour of iconic places mountains from a local Russian-speaking guide. Link to the tour. And if you plan to stay here for a couple of days, pick up comfortable hotel link .

Happy walking!

Montjuic is a high hill (177 m) in the city of Barcelona. This is a large excursion area, where museums, historical monuments, nightclubs, attractions are concentrated. You can walk here all day long!

The hill is on south side cities, near trading port. It is separated from the embankment by the Ronda Litoral highway.

Barcelona call Montjuic a mountain; its name is translated from the old Catalan - "Jewish mountain" (Mont juïc). Now gardens are noisy here, alleys are green, there are many walking trails, and once there was a Jewish cemetery on the mountainside.

Historians believe that the Iberians were the first to settle on Montjuic. For a long time, the 170-meter hill was the most important strategic point of the city. In 1640, the fortress of Montjuic was erected here. Its bastions provided the defense of the Catalan capital for more than a century. In the 20th century, the mountain was turned into the largest public park in Europe. Here in 1929 the famous World Exhibition took place. By 1992, Olympic venues had sprung up on the hill.

The mountain is a favorite place for walks both among the guests of the city and among local residents. From here you have a wonderful view of the port and Barcelona. Here intertwined different 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 a map of a walk along Montjuic Mountain at.

Montjuic sightseeing map


Sights of Montjuic

magic fountain

At the foot of the mountain stands the unique "Magic Fountain" by Carlos Buigas - Font màgica de Montjuïc. This building really creates magical effects: the number and shape of water flows change to the sounds of music; jets glow with delightful hues. The majestic Palau Nacional serves as a decoration, and the fountain looks like an enchanting picture that has come to life.

You can see more about the Magic Fountain of Barcelona.

National Art Museum of Catalonia

Spanish Village

A favorite place for tourists on Mount Montjuic - Spanish Village (Poble Espanyol) - architectural museum open air. This is an area of ​​rural houses, where there are craftsmen's workshops and many souvenir shops.

The "Spanish Village" was also built specifically for the 1929 exhibition. The complex united 117 buildings erected in natural and reduced form. These are Spanish buildings from different eras, belonging to various cultures. Architectural objects are made with a high degree of reliability.

See more about the Spanish Village.

Go on these tours:

Barcelona Olympic Ring

The Olympic Ring of Barcelona (L'Anella Olímpica de Montjuïc) on Montjuïc includes facilities built for the XXV Summer Olympics. The famous Calatrava TV tower became the center of the complex, around it there are the Sant Jordi sports palace, the Estadio Olímpico stadium, the Picornel and Montjuic swimming pools, the Catalan Institute of Physical Education, and the Museum of the Olympic Games.

More about Olympic venues.

João Miro Foundation Museum

Art lovers should visit the Joan Miró Foundation Museum Exhibition Center. 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 an original style of surrealism. In addition to the works of the master himself, the museum exhibits paintings by his contemporaries, exhibitions are held.

Fortress of Montjuic

Go on these tours:

Botanical Garden in Barcelona

How to get there?

Funicular

There are many ways to climb Montjuic, but the most convenient way is to use the Funicular de Montjuic funicular, 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, once every 10 minutes.

cable car

From the upper station of the funicular, "Montjuic Park", cabins depart cable car Montjuic (Telefèric de Montjuïc). The gondola lift has been in existence since 1970; in 2007, it was completely reconstructed. In the middle of the road, the road makes a turn and passes through the Mirador train station. The top station is Castell Montjuic.

Bus

You can also get around Montjuic Mountain by buses: 13, 23, 55 (Plaza Catalunya - Montjuic Park), 107, 125 and 150 (from Plaza de España to Montjuic Castle).

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The most functional height in Catalonia is Montjuic in Barcelona. Its defensive capabilities are not entirely relevant today, but the sports and entertainment opportunity brings income to the municipality and joy to tourists.

General information

A bit of history

1705-1714 - the years of encroachments of the conquerors on the Spanish territory. At this time, Mount Montjuic in Barcelona served as a defensive stronghold. Today, buildings that witnessed critical events have been preserved here. Most of buildings were erected in 1929 and 1992. In this form, Montjuic appears before us today.

Castle of Montjuic

The top of the mountain is decorated with a fortress (1652). Erected in 30 days around the guard tower during the offensive of the Spanish king. All subsequent millennia are a symbol of occupation. During the reign of Franco, Montjuic Castle served as a place of detention for political prisoners. Today it is the Military Museum.
The photo shows the courtyard of Montjuic Castle:

The most unique is Jardins de Mossen Costa i Llobera. It has a huge collection of cacti. The favorite view of the Spaniards - with huge thorns - is the “mother-in-law chair”. Here is an institute whose specialization is the flora of five climatic zones close to the Mediterranean.

Connects Montjuic and Barcelona. It starts at the observation deck and goes to Barceloneta. The decoration of the road is red booths, quite antique. The descent from the mountain tickles the nerves. The road has not been repaired since 1929. There were no accidents, technicians monitor serviceability, but the fact remains. Serves as a good way to get down and admire the scenery of Barcelona.

Joano Miro Foundation

Founded in 1971, designed by Jusepe Lewis Sert. It is a building, the halls of which surround the courtyard. The Fund carries out research work in the field of art history and the study of Miro's work.

Avenue Avenguda del Estadi on Montjuic sheltered the Olympic facilities - the Olympic Stadium, the Sports Palace of Sant Jordi. The latter was built according to the project of a Japanese architect and is equipped with cutting-edge technology.

The architectural and folklore center of Barcelona is located on the slope of the mountain, representing buildings characteristic of each region of Spain. On Montjuic, this place is popular among young people.

National Palace

The most pompous building at the foot of Montjuic. The decoration is a huge dome framed by 4 towers (similar to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostella). Since 1934 it has been the Art Museum of Catalonia. It contains works from the Renaissance, Baroque, Gothic and Romanesque periods. In Barcelona, ​​this is the biggest pride of the Catalans.