The Montjuic is both a park and a complex of some of Barcelona’s most renowned attractions, such as the ‘Olympic Stadium’ (Estadi Olímpic), National Art Museum of Catalonia (housed in the Palau Nacional building), the Magic Fountain and many others. In addition to these, a castle, which has survived nearly four centuries, stands proudly on top of the hill (Castell de Montjuïc<). Besides, not only is the Hill of Montjuic seen from all parts of the city, but it also provides a perfect panorama over Barcelona and the sea. And, to prove the truth of it being classified as a park, the Montjuic Hill is wonderfully wooded and equipped with spectacular gardens, among which there is the New Botanical Garden of Barcelona.

The Montjuic Hill is a naturally wooded, flat-top hill southeast of the city centre, towering with an almost vertical cliff over the beach of the Mediterranean sea and its northern slope, covered with gardens, descends smoothly to the city. The hill was used by the Romans as a ceremonial place. In the past it was also a comfortable location for agriculture for citizens of the neighbouring district, Vella. The top of the hill was traditionally a fortification site, due to its suitable guard conditions. The last of these fortresses that has survived until present day is the Castell de Montjuic (a 17th Century construction with additions from the 18th Century) that has served for a long time the dreary role of a prison and an execution site. At the end of the 19th Century, Montjuic was partially cleared of forest vegetation, opening space for parklands, and, according to the new city plans, it is to become an area of leisure facilities that favour the existence of the natural landscape.

With the selection of the Montjuic Hill as the site of the 1929 International Exposition, there came a new era for the hill as the first large-scale construction works started there. Many of the buildings that emerged at that time remain today and add to the diversity of architectural sights. Some famous examples are the Palau Nacional, the Olympic Stadium, the Poble Espanyol (a ‘Spanish village’ that shows different styles of Spanish architecture), The Magic Fountain, a wonderful staircase from the foot to the south end of the hill, passing by some worthy sights. It is interesting to follow the development of the Olympic stadium because by the time of its construction it was intended to rival the 1936 Olympic Games in fascist Berlin, but this never happened because of the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War. Later on, in 1992, the Summer Olympic Games did take place at this stadium and it is nowadays used as the home playground of the football team Espanyol. The fundamental element of the Magic Fountain was the monumental fountain situated on a platform raised at the end of an avenue, with the view of the National Palace in the background. It owes its existence to the engineer Carles Buпgas, who conceived a new type of fountain, with artistic elements changing forms of water.

The Montjuic Hill found another application - a part of its road system was used for the Formula One racing circuit and the Grand Prix of Spain. However, after an accident it was excluded from the Grand Prix sites. The roads can be used for walking, cycling and for going by car to some of the attractions. Besides, it is a pleasant experience to walk in the shades trees and pass by well-known sights. What is also quite an attractive feature of the Montjuic Hill is the vegetation all around the buildings, statues and different constructions, as well as the well-kept gardens that create a unique atmosphere. Some of these gardens are the Lateral Garden, the Jacint Verdaguer Gardens and the Joan Maragall Gardens. The huge area of the parks leaves space for the various pavilions that have remained from the World Fair, such as the Archeological Museum, the Greek Theatre, the Botanical Institute with a lovely pond, the Forest School, the Military Museum and many other attention-deserving elements of the whole assembly.