Montjuïc Castle is a former military fortress located at the top of scenic Montjuïc, the majestic hill that has played such an important role throughout Barcelona’s history. Montjuïc Castle is home to a museum that sheds light on the site’s long history, as well as several gardens and temporary exhibitions, while its open-air terrace provides 360-degree views of the city, sea, and surrounding mountains. Nearby popular Barcelona attractions include Poble Espanyol, Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya, Fundació Joan Miró, the Joan Antoni Samaranch Olympic and Sport Museum, and the Parc de Montjuïc branch of the Museu Etnològic i de Cultures del Món, just to name a few.
History of Montjuïc Castle
Historical records demonstrate the existence of some kind of lookout tower on Montjuïc as early as the eleventh century. In the middle of the seventeenth century, civil unrest within Barcelona saw the city’s rulers augment this lookout tower with a fortified wall. In time, these rudimentary structures were fleshed out even more, transforming them into a bona fide castle—one with extensive defensive capabilities.
Montjuïc Castle as it exists today is largely the handiwork of the eighteenth-century military engineer Juan Martín Cermeño, who over a quarter-century (from approximately 1753 to 1779) executed a significant overhaul of the existing castle and its fortifications. Cermeño designed the site’s trapezoidal layout, constructed four new protective bastions, and built the moat that has in contemporary times been made into a splendid garden. On many occasions over the next 200 years, Montjuïc Castle would function as a repressive force: it would at different points in time serve as a prison (as well as a place where prisoners were executed) and a military fortress. In 2007, though, Montjuïc Castle was returned to the people of Barcelona, when it officially became a municipal property.
Montjuïc Castle Highlights
The Montjuïc Castle visitor center is home to a fascinating permanent exhibit that tells the story of this historic site across four museum-gallery rooms. Topics covered throughout these artifact-filled spaces include Montjuïc’s usage as a quarry during the days of the ancient Romans; the so-called “militarization of the mountain” that began here in the seventeenth century; the transformation of the defensive fortress into a repressive military prison during the nineteenth century; and the tragic role it played throughout the Spanish Civil War.
No trip to Montjuïc Castle is complete with making time to savor the stunning, 360-degree views on display from the attraction’s open-air terrace. Here you can snap fabulous pictures of Barcelona’s historic urban core and picturesque harbor, as well as the sprawling city as it runs toward Tibidabo. Of course, some of the best views of the coastline and sea are available from Montjuïc Castle, too.
For the past decade, Montjuïc Castle has hosted a wide array of temporary exhibitions on its grounds. By their very nature, the subjects of these temporary exhibitions will vary depending on when you visit the attraction. Still, just to give a general idea of what to expect, recent temporary exhibitions of note hosted at Montjuïc Castle include Urban Nature: The Fauna of Montjuïc Mountain, a show that highlighted the diverse animal species that call the park home; Destierro, a selection of works by the artist Cecilia Zabaleta; and Barcelona 1992: Thirty Years On, an exhibition that examined the enduring impact of the Olympic Games in the years after Barcelona played host city to the world.
More to See and Do at Montjuïc Castle
Continue reading below for several more things to see, do, and expect while visiting (or planning your visit to) Montjuïc Castle.
*While there are numerous ways to arrive at Montjuïc Castle—some people make the 20-minute walk straight uphill, others ride bikes or take public transportation—none are as stylish as the Telefèric de Montjuïc. This historic cable-car service runs along a gondola lift all the way to the castle, providing spectacular city views en route to the main attraction itself.
*For a small additional sum (usually about three euros, on top of the standard admission price), visitors can add to their ticket an audio guide and map. The audio guide provides listeners with terrific background information on the castle’s history, uses, and evolution throughout the centuries. A visit to Montjuïc Castle with the audio guide lasts about one hour total.
*Viewers that want even more exposure to the inside story of this historic attraction’s rich past should consider going on a guided tour. English-language guided tours are available at Montjuïc Castle every Saturday and Sunday at 1:00pm. When in doubt, your best bet is to purchase reserved tickets in advance of your visit.
*In addition to its schedule of temporary exhibitions, Montjuïc Castle also occasionally hosts special events and activities. For the latest information on what events or activities might be scheduled to take place when you’re planning to visit, check out the Montjuïc Castle website’s “Activity Calendar.”
Why Montjuïc Castle Should Be on Your Must-See List
Montjuïc Castle should be on your must-see list for several different reasons. For better or worse, the historic fortress is an indelible part of Barcelona’s tumultuous past; the attraction’s museum does a nice job illuminating how far the city has come since the dark days of the Spanish Civil War. For those not wanting to get too bogged down in the history of the place, Montjuïc Castle is a can’t-miss destination because of its unparalleled views in all directions. What’s more, Montjuïc Castle is located near numerous other popular Barcelona attractions, making it a convenient addition to all types of sightseeing itineraries.
