Montjuïc Castle
The defensive fortress with the best views of Barcelona
At the top of Montjuïc hill, an ideal location for defense, stands Montjuïc Castle, built in 1640. At 173 meters above sea level, on the site of a former watchtower, the first fortification of Montjuïc was constructed during the Reapers’ War. It has endured to this day as a symbol and gateway to the city’s history.
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A fortress that has served as a prison, museum, and cultural space
The castle you can visit today is the result of a renovation by military engineer Juan Martín Cermeño in the mid-18th century, completed with an expansion at the end of that century. The castle has been used both to defend Barcelona and to bombard it at various points in its history, especially during the 19th century, when it began to be used as a prison. In 1940, the president of the Generalitat of Catalonia, Lluís Companys, was executed there, and in 1963 Franco inaugurated a Military Museum on the site. Today, Montjuïc Castle is owned by the Barcelona City Council and hosts numerous cultural activities.
In addition, the castle’s location offers 360° views of Barcelona and its surroundings. From the terrace of the parade ground, you can see the city, the port, the coastline, the Mediterranean, and the Baix Llobregat region.
A visit to the castle allows you to explore:
• The access bridge and façade
• The bastions
• The parade ground
• The terrace and watchtower
• The sea-facing wall
• The moat
• The hornwork and ravelin
• The sea and land lunettes
• The covered walkway
How to get to Montjuïc Castle?
The most convenient way to reach the castle is by taking the Montjuïc Cable Car from the Telefèric de Montjuïc stop on the Red Route of the Barcelona Bus Turístic.
For the curious
- In 1792, from Montjuïc Castle, the Frenchman Pierre-André Méchain defined a new unit of measurement: the metre. That’s why there’s a sculpture in tribute to the metre in the castle’s moat and a commemorative plaque on the tower.
- Especially in summer, the castle hosts exhibitions, concerts, and film series. You can check the schedule on its website.
- Montjuïc Castle was declared a Cultural Asset of National Interest (BCIN) in 1988.
