Pictures Montjuic hill

Pictures Montjuic hill Barcelona 

Montjuic hill Barcelona. Things to do on Montjuic hill, Barcelona.  Tourist attractions, parks and sights

Montjuic hill in Barcelona is a nice place to visit for views, walks, parks and attractions. Montjuic hill, sometimes also called Montjuic mountain, is a 230m high hill which overlooks Barcelona from the south east of the city. Montjuic has lovely views of Barcelona city and coastline.

At the summit on Montjuic hill there is a former military fort called 'Castell de Montjuic.' Montjuic hill is home to many parks, museums and attractions including Lluis Companys Olympic stadium and the Barcelona Olympic swimming pools.

The origin of the name Montjuic is unclear. The translation of Montjuic means 'Jewish mountain or hill' which is generally accepted to refer to orginate from the Jewish cemetery located on the hill in medieval times.

The name Montjuic might be also be derived from the Latin phrase 'Mons Jovicus,' which means 'hill of Jove.'

Book Montjuic Bike Tour
Montjuic Castle
Montjuic cable car

To get to the top of Montjuic hill take a funicular railway and cable car. 

Montjuic hill Barcelona

The former military fort on Montjuic 'Castell de Montjuic' 

Montjuic Castle Barcelona

The easiest way to get to the fort "Castell de Montjuïc" is to take a bus from Plaza Espanya, or take the Montjuic funicular train and then switch to a gondola cable car. The mountain train starts at the metro station Parallel (green Line 3) on Av Parallel.

When you exit the funicular train, cross the road and then take the Teleferic de Montjuic cable car that will take you to the highest point on Montjuic hill where the fort is located. During the cable car ride up to the fort, you will also have fantastic views of the city.

montjuic_hill_cable_car

The only hotel on Montjuic hill is the luxury 5 starMiramar hotel. The Miramar hotel occupies an old mansion which was previously used in the early days of Spanish television.

This historic building was renovated a few years ago and hotel guests at the Miramar can now enjoy stunning scenery and views.

Miramar hotel Barcelona

From the Miramar hotel you are just a few steps from the thrilling Transbordador Aeri del Port cable car, which takes you across the Port Vell marina of Barcelona to the first of the Barcelona beaches. See more pictures of Barcelona harbour cable car.

Port cable car Barcelona

Montjuic castle is one of the oldest constructions on Montjuïc hill. It is mostly from the 18th century and has been used both for the defense of Barcelona, and to keep the Catalans control using the threat of attack from Montjuic during times of oppression of the Catalans.

The fortress was previously the home of the Museu Militar military museum, but it moved out of Barcelona in 2009. Now Montjuic fort is only used for cultural events and festivals, like outdoor cinema in the summer, concerts and festivals.

Castell de Montjuic  Barcelona

Summer outdoor cinema in the moat of Montjuic Castle

Summer open air cinema Montjuic

Montjuic has many lovely green parks and gardens including the Barcelona botanical gardens. Inside the lovely Laribal gardens there is a summer cafe called El Font de Gat cafe
Montjuic gardens and parks

Miro Foundation Museum One of the main attractions on Montuic is the Fundació Joan Miró which is a must see for contemporary art lovers. The museum building was designed by a friend of Miro called Josep Lluís Sert. It features an wonderful octagonal tower that is often used as an auditorium for classical music concerts.

The permanent Miro collection has many works of Miró in diverse formats including 300 paintings, tapestries, and over 7000 drawings. If you want to see more art museums in Barcelona, check out the Articket for access to top art museums in Barcelona. If you are a Miro fan, then you visit the Miro Woman and bird sculpture near Plaza Espanya.


Miro Foundation Barcelona

The sculpture garden on Montjuic next to the Miro Foundation is free to visit. See works by Miró and other artists. It is also a lovely place to relax in the summer.

Sculpture garden Miro Foundation Barcelona

The two venetian towers at Plaça d'Espanya at the foot of Montjuic welcome visitors to Barcelona's main exhibition centre which is called Fira Montjuic.

Every year the Firabcn Barcelona has a full calendar of Barcelona trade exhibitions

Venetian towers Fira Barcelona

The Font Magica - the magic fountain is a major tourist attraction in Barcelona and is at the foot of Montjuic hill. The fountain was opened on 19th May 1929 during the Great Universal Exhibition of Barcelona.

Pictures Magic Fountain and find Magic Fountain show times. The annual Barcelona Marathon starts and finishes here.

Magic Fountain Montjuic Barcelona

The Palau Nacional (National Palace) above the magic fountain was built to be the Spanish Pavillion for the 1929 world exhibition.

It is now home to MNAC Art Museum of Catalonia.

Fountains up to MNAC Barcelona

The Poble Espanyol - Spanish village in Barcelona was designed by a leading modernist architect, Josep Puig i Cadafalch. Poble Espanyol was built in 1929 for the Barcelona World Exhibition as an architectural experiment to create an model for a village that would represent popular Spanish architecture.

Due to popular demand it was left intact after the Exhibition ended. Now it is home to many concerts, events, clubs and restaurants

Pobe Espanyol Spanish Village
Montjuic hill is home to the Barcelona Sports and Olympics musuem. Did you know there are two ice-skating rinks in Barcelona?

Olympic museum Barcelona

The Barcelona Olympic Diving pool on Montjuic has spectacular views of Barcelona. It is open in July and August only. Oddly enough the diving area of the pool is closed to the general public but you can go for a swim. Read more about  swimming pools on Montjuic hill 

Montjuic Diving Pools Barcelona

'Monument a la Sardana' sculpture by Josep Cañas i Cañas on Montjuic hill. It was unveiled in 1966 during the Franco dictatorship by then Barcelona mayor Josep Maria de Porcioles. He was Barcelona's mayor for sixteen years from1957 until 1973.

The sardana dance is a traditional folk dance that symbolizes the spirit of Catalunya. See sardana dance pictures

Monument a la Sardana Montjuic hill
In an old quarry on Montuic you can now find outdoor climbing walls 
Climbing walls Montjuic Barcelona

Montjuic trivia. Until 1975 Montjuic was the venue of the Spanish Formula 1 Grand Prix. In 1975 a tragic accident claimed 4 lives which ended the era of motor-racing on the hill.

Montjuic motor racing history
More Barcelona pictures
Hotels near Fira Montjuic

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Last Updated on Monday, 27 May 2019 20:00
 

Thursday, 07 November 2024