Montjuic CastleMontjuïc Castle, built on a site giving an all-round command of the town, its harbour and approaches with the objective of subjecting the people of Barcelona to Spanish rule, was first built in 1640. 50 years later —between 1705 and 1714— it became a key site in the War of the Spanish Succession. Montjuïc Castle gained its current appearance in the middle of the 18th century. Montjuïc Castle offers stunning views over the city and its harbour and is worth the trip. 
From this castle, the regent General Espartero indiscriminately bombarded the city with 1014 mortar bombs when the city revolted against his dictatorial rule. Espartero is notorious for his declaration, "Barcelona should be bombed once every fifty years". The following year, after defeating Espartero in an uprising, the Catalan General Prim launched over 2500 bombs on the city and its people when –dissatisfied with Prim's backsliding and lack of support for Catalonia– the city rose up against him. Prim overcame the revolt but was eventually killed by his opponents.In 1897 large numbers of innocent workers were detained, accused of treason, tortured and murdered by the Spanish occupying forces. 
My wife's father was in rebel territory, captured early in the conflict and imprisoned in Montjuïc Castle for many months. Every night, four people were taken from the large communal cell and shot. The strain of not knowing who was next nor why stayed with him for the rest of his life… After the war, hundreds of Catalan nationalists, trade union members, anarchists, socialists and republicans were imprisoned, tortured and murdered by Franco’s fascist regime. 
The most well-known of these was the President of the Generalitat of Catalonia, Lluis Companys who was detained by the Nazis in France, returned to Spain and executed. After all this, the castle was used as a military prison until 1960, then as an army base. Three years later, the tyrant Franco opened a weapons museum in the castle. In 2007, it came under the ownership of Barcelona City Council. 
How to get to Montjuïc Castle.You can reach the castle by the newly refurbished cable-car. Take the Green metro to Paral.lel station, then –using the same ticket– the Montjuïc funicular railway. There’s one every 10 minutes and the journey itself is very short. Take the nearby cable car to the top of the hill, right by the castle. The ride gives spectacular views in climate controlled comfort for 6.30 euro. You can reach the cable-car by the 50, 55, 61 or 193 buses, too. If you feel energetic, you can stroll to the top in about 20 minutes from the funicular stop. 
Back from Montjuïc Castle to Things to do in Barcelona Back to Barcelona Tourist Information Home New! CommentsHave your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below. |
During the Spanish Civil War, rival republican and revolutionary factions murdered each other here as well as people suspected of being supporters of the Fascist rebels.