Para-lel or Espanya

A funicular railway leaves Paral-lel (L2 & L3) metro station and takes you to the cable car to continue your journey to the summit of MontJuic. Cable car single tickets cost €5.70, return €7.90. The cable cars run from 7.30am to 6pm November to March, 7.30am to 7pm April, May and October and 7.30am to 9pm June to September.

The Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya is open Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 7pm and Sundays 10am to 2.30pm. Entry costs €8.50 and is valid for 2 days. Concessions 30% discount.

Performance times of the La Font Màgica are every 30 minutes from 8pm to 11.30pm on Thursday to Sunday. October to April performances are limited to Friday and Saturday 7pm to 9pm. Free.

The Poble Espanyol is open 9am to 8pm on Mondays, 9am to 2am Tuesday to Thursday, 9am to 4am Friday and Saturday and 9am to midnight on Sundays. Entry costs €8, children €5.

Montjuïc has always been a place for the citizens of Barcelona to escape the hustle and bustle of the city; for recreation and ritual celebration. Even in the early days of the Romans, the city of Barcino was founded on the plain below and Montjuic became the stage for religious ceremony. More recently, Montjuic has staged the ritual of the World Exhibition in 1929 and the celebration of the Olympic Games in 1992.

MontJuic Cable Car

Montjuïc means the Jewish Mountain in Catalan. This was because an important Jewish religious ceremony took place here during the middle ages.

 From its majestic position high up on Montjuic, the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya displays a treasure trove of art. Its collections range from unique Romanesque murals, through to 20th century pieces. It boasts an extraordinary array of 12th century frescoes which were rescued from 29 Catalan churches and then reassembled. The frescoes depict the new and old testament, including the 3 Magi visiting the virgin Mary and Jesus. The Gothic and Renaissance collections are vast and boast pieces from Rubens and Gainsborough. Finally, there are works from local sculptors and paniters as well as a coin and photograph collection.

Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya

Ceiling Fresco in the Dome

Below the Museu Nacional is La Font Màgica, which was designed in 1929. During the evening the “magic fountain” performs a regular programme of spectacular sound and light shows. When the water is choreographed into a single jet, it can reach 15-metres high! On the last night of September, the finale includes fireworks and a recording of Freddie Mercury and Montserrat Caballe‘s “Barcelona”.

Font Magica

At the top of Montjuïc, 173-metres up, you will find the Castell de Montjuïc, overlooking the harbour below.  The fortress dates largely from the 17th century and has been used not only to protect the city, but following disturbances in 1842 the garrison, loyal to the Madrid government, shelled parts of the city below. It became famous as a prison and a place of terror – where many  political prisoners were tortured and executed. The castle now houses a military musuem. Getting to the castle is both enjoyable and relaxing as you take in the sights whilst cruising up the hill in a cable car.

Castell de Montjuïc

Castle Cannon

The Poble Espanyol or “spanish village” was built in 1929 and took just 13 months to erect. After the World Exhibition, for which it was built, it was destined to be torn down, but luckily for visitors today, a decision was made to let the buildings stand. The village includes its own square, town hall, church, bars and cafes. It has more recently become a centre of arts including a glass-blowing workshop

Mock towers in the Poble Espanyol

Pretty streets

The Estadi Olimpic was built for the workers olympics in 1936, but these were cancelled due to the outbreak of the civil war. Although the original facade still remains, the whole building was rebuilt for the 1992 Olympic games. The stadium has a capacity of 65, 000 and is now the home of Barcelona’s number 2 football team, Espanyol. There is also a Galeria Olimpica housing photos and video clips from the games as well as dolls dressed as athletes and plastic food depicting an athlete’s typical diet!

Olympic Tower

Olympic Statue

The Olympic flame was positioned high on a pillar top and during the Olympics a brave archer had to shoot a flaming arrow high into the air. There were worries that this was too risky, but the dish was full of inflammable gas so the archer only had to get the arrow to pass within 2m of the dish to get the flame to light - he succeeded!

The gardens of Montjuic provide a haven of peace, beauty and diversity. There are botanical gardens with over 2000 species; picturesque gardens of densely planted bulbs of tulips and hyacinths and shady parks with statues, pergolas and fountains.

Statue of Catalan Dancers

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