Castell de Montjuïc

TK, Barcelona
The entrance to Montjuïc Castle. (Photo by Andy Mitchell)

The 18th century castle overlooking Barcelona

A panorama over Barcelona from the Casteillo de Montjuïc, Barcelona
Views of Barcelona from the Castell de Montjuïc. (Photo by Kippelboy)Since 1640, there had been a fort and watchtower on the natural redoubt overlooking Barcelona harbor from the south, but constructon on the current stone castle did not start until 1694, and was not finished until 1779.

It remains a glowering presence above the city, half a misshappen star—all triangluar bastions and stony parapets—sunk ino the Montjuïc hillside 173 meters (568 feet) above the city and harbor below.

Barcelona history at Montjuïc Castle

The facade of the Barcelona Cathedral
The 1641 Battle of Montjuïc, painted by Galeria Corsini Florenci.Barcelona has a complicated relationship with Montjuïc Castle (Castell de Montjuïc in Catalan; Castillo de Montjuïc in Spanish). It long served as symbol of Royalist—and, later, Spanish—oppression over Catalonia.

True, just one year after the orignal, 1640 fort was built, it actually served the nationalist Catalan cause during the opening salvos of the 19-year Catalan Revolt against King Pedro Fajardo of Spain. The Catalans even won the 1641 Battle of Montjuïc here, forcing the Spanish to retreat down the coast for a spell.

The current castle, however, was built by the Spanish and always remained firmly in their hands unitl 1960, occasionally even bombing the restive city below during the occasional outburst of Catalan nationalism.

The main courtyard of the Castell de Montjuïc. (Photo by Peter de Wit)The castle courtyard also served as the infamous site where erstwhile Catalan president Lluis Companys was killed by a firing squad in 1940.

(Captured by Nazis during his Paris exile toward the end of the Spanish Civil War, Companys was repatriated to Barcelona for a trumped-up trial and quick execution by the victorious Spanish Fascists.)

After serving for most of the late 20th century as (appropriately enough) a military museum, the castle became property of the city of Barcelona.

Montjuïc Castle today

In 2010, Montjuïc Castle was converted into a space for temporary exhibitions and cultural activities, as well as interpretive centers for the history of the castle and its surroundings.

It also marks one end of the Teleferic de Montjuïc scenic cable car—and that's by far the best way to arrive.

Tips & Links

Castell de Montjuïc details

ADDRESS

Carretera de Montjuïc 66
[ Montjuïc ]

Tel. +34-932-564-445
www.bcn.cat/castelldemontjuic

Also interesting:
www.castillomontjuic.com

OPEN

Apr-Sept: Daily 9am–9pm
Oct-Mar: Daily 9am–7pm

ADMISSION

Free (exhibits sometimes suggest a donation along the lines of €2)

TRANSPORT

Metro: Pl. Espanya (L1, L3, L8, S4, S8, S33), then bus 150
Bus: 150
Hop-on/Hop-off route: South (red)

How long does the Castell de Montjuïc take?

Planning your day: You can wander the rooms and ramparts for about 30 minutes, though exhibitions might add another 30 minutes to your visit. » Barcelona itineraries

Useful links & resources

SIGHTS

Barcelona tourist info: Barcelonaturisme.com (info office), Guiadelocio.com (events mag); Catalunya.com (regional info), Spain.info

Sightseeing passes: Barcelona Card (20+ sights; transport; discounts), Museum Pass (6 sights)

Tours & activities: Viator.com, ContextTravel.com, UrbanAdventures.com, City-Discovery.com, Intrepidtravel.com, Gadventures.com

LODGING

Hotels: Booking.com, Venere.com, Priceline.com, Hotels.com

B&Bs: Booking.com, Bedandbreakfast.com, Airbnb.com, Venere.com

Apartments: Rentalo.com, Vrbo.com, Booking.com, Airbnb.com, Interhomeusa.com, Homeaway.com

Hostels & campgrounds: Hostelbookers.com, Hostelworld.com, Hostelz.com, Booking.com

TRANSPORT

Airfares:

Airports: Aena.es

Trains: Raileurope.com (throughout Europe), Renfe.com (within Spain), Bahn.de (throughout Europe), Seat61.com

Public transport: Barcelona Card (free transport; sightseeing); Search all public transit: mou-te.gencat.cat; Metro/Bus: Tmb.cat; Tram: Trambcn.com; Light rail: Fgc.cat; Taxi: Taxibarcelona.cat

Car rentals: Autoeurope.com, RentalCars.com, Momondo.com, Orbitz.com, Expedia.com, Travelocity.com, Kayak.com

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The undercroft of the Castell de Montjuïc. (Photo by Greg Emel)

This article was by Reid Bramblett and last updated in September 2013.
All information was accurate at the time.

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Copyright © 1998–2013 by Reid Bramblett. Author: Reid Bramblett.