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Majestic & Mountainous Montjuic
By Anil Gupta
The hill Montjüic or the Jewish mountain as it is popularly known is one of the most significant landmarks of Barcelona. The huge park lies 213 meters above the harbor and is today one of the major tourist attractions in Barcelona. Montjüic hosted the World Exhibition in 1929 and the Olympic Games in 1992. The remains of these big events in Barcelona can still be visited. The impressive view of Barcelona and the sporting and cultural devices on Montjüic are merit more than one visit.
During the 17th and 18th centuries, many forts were built at the top of the hill, including the famous Castell de Montjuic. The Museu Militar of Barcelona is now housed in the castle. From the top, one can get a splendid view of the harbor. The castle at the top of Montjuic is connected with Avenue Miramar by the cable transfer system El Teleferic de Montjuic.
In 1929, Montjuic was selected as the site for the International Exposition known as the World fair. At that time several major constructions were undertaken including the Font Magica or the Magic Fountain, created by designer Carles Buigas, the grand Palau Nacional, and the Estadi Olímpic or the Olympic stadium. The roads on the slopes of the hill facing the city were a Formula One racing circuit, and Montjuic was the venue of the Spanish Grand Prix till 1975. In 1992 Montjuic was selected for the Summer Olympic Games. The Olympic Stadium, renamed as the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, was the venue of the opening and closing ceremonies of the Games, and also hosted the athletics events. Several magnificent constructions took place in the city during this period. The Montjuic Communications Tower was erected in the Olympic Park in 1992 for the transmission of the Olympic events. Designed by Santiago Calatrava, this spectacular tower is the symbolic expression of an athlete holding the Olympic Flame. The major attractions situated in Montjuic are Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya which is housed in the Palau Nacional, the Poble Espanyol, Anella Olympica, Fundacio Miro and the Institut Botanic.
The whole of Montjuic is covered in ornamental gardens with water features and is the most popular destination in Barcelona on Sundays. From the gun positions overlooking the sea and the port, splendid views can be had. The Olympic stadium and the Olympic diving pool are located lower down the hill. The ancient promontory of Montjuïc rises up above the sea to the west of the city. A green, park-filled oasis, its undergone dramatic face lifts in the last century or so. Palaces, museums and gardens were constructed for Barcelona's International Exhibition of 1929 and the upper reaches were entirely revamped to create the Olympic Ring, a string of dazzling sports complexes used for the 1992 Olympics. The latest phase of improvements, including more parks, a lake and a new information centre with a delightful café, was completed in time for Barcelona's Universal Forum of Cultures 2004. Despite all the development, in some ways nothing much has changed - it's still a popular weekend destination for locals, who come to wander through the parks and gaze down across the city from the hilltop castle.
About the Author
Anil Gupta recommends that you visit http://www.bookings.es/city/es/barcelona.html?aid=305255 for more information on barcelona hotels.
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