How to get to Montjuic in Barcelona and what to see there? Mountain and park of Montjuic: how to get there, on the map, photo and description of attractions How to get to Montjuic mountains in Barcelona.
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 holiday destinations for both the local population and 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 happens that the location of the hill is such that in ancient times it was always of strategic importance, so its history is more connected with the protection or protection 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 the Mount of Jupiter (Mons Jovis), but with the advent of the cemetery, it became known as Mont juïc, which means “Jewish mountain” in ancient Catalan.
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 of different heights were thrown out in a circle and in the center, then in its modern form it 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 is a favorite vacation spot of the local population - people 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 of military history here. As travelers note, it is from here that the most stunning view of Barcelona opens.
City of Crafts
The open-air ethno-museum is also loved by both locals and travelers. "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. As guests of the city note, the night life of the mountain is 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, a large number of paintings by El Greco and Velasquez have been preserved here.
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 the museum's restorers, the world can observe unique frescoes transferred from dilapidated churches, which can be seen in the film that I am showing 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 this city of the dead, travelers meet 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.
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 located on the south side of the city, near the 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 city guests and local residents. From here you have a wonderful view of the port and Barcelona. Different architectural styles are intertwined here: a medieval castle on top of a mountain, rural architecture of a 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
The 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 the 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 most important center of Romanesque art in the world. It also contains artistic masterpieces of the Renaissance, Gothic and Baroque.
Read more about the Catalan National Art Museum.
Spanish Village
A favorite place for tourists on Mount Montjuic is the Spanish Village (Poble Espanyol) - an open-air architectural museum. 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
Fortress on top of Montjuic (photo: Christine Espino)
From the bastion of the Montjuïc Fortress (Castell de Montjuïc) offers stunning views of the sea and Barcelona. The reconstruction of the castle was carried out in the XVIII century, since then its appearance has been preserved. For many years, after the loss of defensive significance, the old fort was a prison, and since 1963 the Military Museum was opened in it.
Go on these tours:
Botanical Garden in Barcelona
Botanical Garden (photo: patrimoni.gencat)
On the southeastern slope of Montjuic is the Barcelona Botanical Garden (Jardí Botànic de Barcelona). Its territory stretches between the Olympic Stadium and Montjuic Castle. The botanical garden opened in April 1999. Its main task is not so much tourism as educational and security, however, nature lovers will be able to see here not only plants growing in the Mediterranean climate, but also expositions represented by plants from Australia, Chile, South and North Africa, and California. A separate area is dedicated to the flora of the Canary Islands. Entrance to the Jardí Botànic costs €3.5.
Gardens of Mossen Costa y Llobera (photo: Jordi Peralta)
On the slope of Mount Montjuic overlooking the sea, nature lovers can visit another park - Mossen Costa i Llobera Gardens (Jardins de Mossèn Costa i Llobera). They were created back in 1970 and named after the poet Mikel 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 predominate on the territory of Jardins de Mossèn Costa i Llobera, there are several dozen palms of non-Spanish origin, but the park is especially proud of cacti and other succulents - there are more than 800 species of them. The entrance is free.
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 top station of the funicular, "Montjuic Park", the Montjuic cable car (Telefèric de Montjuïc) departs. 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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Barcelona is undoubtedly the pearl of Spain, a city that combines mountains, sea and historical monuments. Every big city in any country of the world has its own highlights, sights, emblems. For beautiful Barcelona, Montjuic is such an emblem.
This place attracts thousands of tourists all year round, coming to him on an excursion, you can spend a fascinating and full of impressions day there, thanks to the many sights of both ancient Italian and modern culture. At the foot of Montjuic is one of the largest parks in Europe, its area is about 70 thousand hectares.
Mount Montjuic is located in the southern part of Barcelona next to the seaport at 173 meters above sea level. From a bird's eye view you can see a beautiful view of the sea and the city.
In ancient times, the Laio settlement named the mountain after the temple of Jupiter - Mons Jovis. Later it was called Mont juïc (Montjuic), which is translated from Old Catalan as "Jewish Mountain". The Jewish cemetery was then located on the hillside. Later, an observation post was located there to control the sea coast.
You can easily get to Montjuic:
- there is a city bus route (150) "Barcelona - Montjuic";
- can be climbed on foot from the city;
- you can get to Parallel metro station, then take the funicular to Avinguda de Miramar and then take the cable car to the fortress.
Montjuic and its history
In ancient times, the mountain of Montjuic acted as a defense of the city of Barcelona (formed from a village that the locals named after their founder, Barcino). Until the middle of the 17th century, there were no residential buildings on the hill of Montjuic, since the supply of water to this area was difficult.
In 1640, during the uprising, an observation post was built on the mountain - the Military Fortress, on the basis of which the Military Historical Museum (Museu Militar de Montjuic) now operates. At that time, the fortress was built in a record short time - in just 30 days.
As a result of battles and destruction, the defensive buildings on the mountain were superimposed one on one. To date, the casemates and walls of the fortress, which were built in the 17th century, have not been destroyed.
In 1715, after the end of the War of the Spanish Succession, the new king of Spain, Philip V, ordered the demolition of the fortress and the construction of a new castle in the shape of a star. Subsequently, the fortress became a prison for keeping those who were against the authorities, torture and executions were carried out in it.
In the middle of the 18th century the castle was reconstructed. In 1940, the political execution of Luis Companus, who was the head of the government of Catalonia, was carried out in it.
What to see on Montjuic?
Military Museum
In 1963, by decree of the Spanish leader Franco, the Military Museum was located on the site of the fortress in the castle de Montuc and exists to this day. It presents a rich antique collection of weapons, various exhibits, military uniforms from around the world, starting from the 15th century.
The presented exhibits are reminders of the Catalan, Arab history, in which there were many naval battles. Now beautiful lawns have been planted on the site of deep ditches, the fortress bastions have become observation platforms. They offer a beautiful panoramic view of Barcelona, the sea and the port.
Agbar tower
From Montjuic you can see the Agbar Tower, a building of avant-garde design. It is similar to the building of the architect Foster in London - the skyscraper 30 St. Mary Ax. For its shape, the building is compared to a cucumber and is called so.
"Catalan Cucumber" is notable for the fact that it uses LED matrices, which makes it look like old Catalan memos made from fragments of multi-colored ceramics.
The National Palace of Catalonia, which was built by engineer Carles Bugais, is located at the very top of Montjuic.
All major city events take place in the Palace. Since 1934, the Art Museum of Catalonia has been open in it, in 1990 it was transformed into the National Art Museum of Catalonia.
The Museum presents real masterpieces of painting and sculpture, engraving and numismatic departments, photography department. The museum is the most important center of Romanesque art throughout the world. At the same time, the general museum collection is rich in masterpieces of Spanish art of the Middle Ages.
Singing Fountains
Tourists and residents of the city gather at the foot of the mountain in the evenings to watch (completely free of charge) an amazing and unforgettable sight. These are the magical Singing Fountains of Montjuic (FontMagica). Fountains really create an aura of magic, as they fascinate with a combination of beautiful music, overflows and interweaving of light and water.
In preparation for the Olympics in 1992, Montjuic was reconstructed: new buildings were built, old ones were repaired. This is how the modern complex "Olympic Ring" was built, created from old buildings.
At the same time, not far from the Manjuic hill, the Mapfe glass tower and the Arts Design Hotel were built, which are the tallest buildings in Spain.
Olympic Stadium
The Olympic Stadium is located on Montjuic mountain. Now it houses the "Olympic Gallery" - one of the few museums in Europe, which is dedicated to sports. The exhibitions of this museum are very patriotic and celebrate the pride of those events that are glorious for Barcelona.
Palace of Sports "Sant Jordi"
Not far from the stadium is the Sant Jordi Sports Palace, which was built in 1990 by Japanese architects. The arena of the Palace serves both for organizing concerts and for holding sports competitions in basketball.
There are also two other attractions here - these are the famous pools named after the famous Spanish swimmer Bernat Picornel Richier, the founder of the Spanish Swimming Federation. From this place you can also enjoy a beautiful view of Barcelona.
Ethnographic Museum "Spanish Village"
The most famous museum of Montjuic is the ethnographic museum "Spanish Village", located in the open air. The architectural styles with the streets and houses of various parts of Spain are very accurately reproduced here.
In the "Spanish Village" you can enjoy local delicacies, buy items of Spanish craftsmen made in front of your eyes.
After the end of the International Exhibition in 1929, the authorities wanted to close the "Spanish Village", but the inhabitants of the city defended their attraction.
Conclusion
Montjuic is truly a magical mountain, where life is in full swing day and night all year round. In order to feel these mysterious interweavings of antiquity with modernity, you should definitely visit it.
From the southwest, a steep tower rises over 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 hours of the objects.
First we present list of the main places of interest to visit around Montjuic:
— Magic Fountains(Font Magica) - a spectacular light and music show (opening hours: May-September Thursday-Sunday 20.00-24.00, October-April Friday-Saturday 19.00-20.00)
— Fortress of Montjuic(the official name is Castell de Montjuic, so guidebooks may call it Montjuic Castle. Built in the 18th century. Conveniently located on a hill, the fort served both as a military base and at one time as a prison. Here you can freely walk along the ramparts and take photos from different points - from the fortress down there is a beautiful panoramic view of the port of Barcelona and the northern beaches.
Inside the fortress, in the central tower is located Military 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.
— Joan Miro Foundation. This is the most famous Catalan artist (1893-1983), his bright, richly colored works in the style of abstract art will not leave your child indifferent! They will be clear to him, as if he himself painted them, swaying in a chair and singing a song.
The Foundation presents the most comprehensive collection of works by Joan Miro, consisting of paintings, sculptures, ceramics, textiles, engravings 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, which can accommodate 65 thousand people. It was built in 1929, completely renovated for the Barcelona Olympics (the opening and closing ceremonies were held here). The Olympic Gallery is open for visiting (a kind of stadium museum, open on weekdays from 10 am to 1 pm and from 4 pm to 6 pm), a beautiful view of the city opens from the terrace.
Nearby and other facilities: Sports University, sports complex Bernat Picornel (swimming pools, gyms), sports and concert hall Sant Jordi (created according to a Japanese project from glass and steel)
Montjuic - how to get there, how to plan a route
It is convenient if you are visiting Montjuic Mountain on the day when you have tickets for. The routes of both the Barcelona Bus Turistic and the Barcelona City Tour capture many of Montjuïc's tourist attractions. In this case, your walk will be “predetermined” by the bus route: you got off at the stop you were interested in - looked around - drove on.
If you do not use the tourist bus, then the route may be as follows: first funicular from Parallelo metro station. He takes you up Montjuic to a stop teleferica- cable car with cabins. You buy a round-trip ticket on Teleferik and visit the fortress located above and the Military Museum.
Once back, walk down Avenguda de Miramar to the Joan Miro Foundation. Then optional:
- to the left (higher on the mountain) the road leads to the Olympic buildings and the botanical garden;
- more to the right (below) - to the MNAC museum, fountains, the Spanish village.
You can also follow this path in reverse order, start your tour from Plaza de España (Metro Placa d’Espanya), visit MNAC and / or the Spanish Village. And then you have to go up 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 time available) and go to the information point located to the right of the Magic Fountain - they will tell you which bus route is easier to get there so as not to walk with a child a lot of walking.
Barcelona also has cable car, which goes to the Montjuic mountain from the port area (Metro Barceloneta). But from the “landing place” to the listed attractions, you still need to go a long way, so this method is best used when, after sightseeing, you need to quickly return to the Port.
Montjuic (Barcelona, Spain) - detailed description, location, reviews, photos and videos.
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"Jewish Mountain" - this is literally translated the name of this 170-meter hill, towering southwest of the Old Port. Once there was a Jewish cemetery and, possibly, a settlement. Today, Montjuïc is home to some of Barcelona's best museums, the 1929 World's Fair and the 1992 Olympic complex, as well as a sprinkling of parks, gardens and leisurely walks overlooking Barcelona.
The highest point of Montjuic is marked by the castle of the same name, from the observation deck of which the city is visible at a glance. From the top of the hill you can go down on foot to the foot, passing through several botanical gardens along the way, the most interesting of which is Jardins de Mossen Costa i Llobera, where a lot of cacti from all over the world grow. Among the must-visit in Montjuic are the National Art Museum of Catalonia, the Joan Miro Museum, the Spanish Village, the Olympic Stadium and the Magic Fountain.
First time in Barcelona: where to go, what to see - in our video review.
The road to the hill is entertainment in itself: in addition to the banal tourist bus climbing to the top, you can get here by cable car from the Old Port (transbordador aeri), whose cabins sway merrily from the sea winds, or by funicular and another cable car (teleferic) from the foot of Montjuic.
The nearest metro station to Montjuic is Espanya, at the foot of the hill. Buses number 50, 55, 61 and 193 go to the top.