Montjuïc - Discover Barcelona: Experience the Best of Barcelona - page 406

Fortress, Gardens

CASTELL DE MONTJUÏC

( 9am-9pm Tue-Sun Apr-Sep, to 7pm Tue-Sun Oct-Mar; 193, Telefèric de Montjuïc (Castell de
Montjuïc)) The forbidding Castell (castle or fort) de Montjuïc dominates the southeastern
heights of Montjuïc and enjoys commanding views over the Mediterranean. It dates, in its
present form, to the late 17th and 18th centuries. For most of its dark history, it has been
used to watch over the city and as a political prison and killing ground.
Anarchists were executed here around the end of the 19th century, fascists during the
civil war and Republicans after it - most notoriously Lluís Companys in 1940. The castle
is surrounded by a network of ditches and walls (from which its strategic position over the
city and port become clear).
In the coming years, it is planned to establish an international peace centre in the castle,
as well as a display on its history. There will also be an interpretation centre dedicated to
Montjuïc.
The views from the castle and the surrounding area looking over the sea, port and city
below are the best part of making the trip up. Catalan and Spanish speakers can join free
guided tours of the castle on Saturdays and Sundays (11.30am in Catalan, 1pm in Span-
ish). Group tours (€65 to €80) can also be booked (also in English and French).
Around the seaward foot of the castle is an airy walking track, the Camí del Mar ,
which offers breezy views of city and sea. Towards the foot of this part of Montjuïc,
above the thundering traffic of the main road to Tarragona, the Jardins de Mossèn Costa
i Llobera Offline map Google map (admission free; 10am-sunset; Transbordador Aeri
(Miramar)) have a good collection of tropical and desert plants - including a veritable forest
of cacti. Near the Estació Parc Montjuïc funicular/Telefèric station are the ornamental
Jardins de Mossèn Cinto de Verdaguer Offline map Google map (admission free;
10am-sunset; Funicular Parc de Monjuïc) . These sloping, verdant gardens are home to various
kinds of bulbs and aquatic plants. Many of the former (some 80,000) have to be replanted
each year. They include tulips, narcissus, crocus, varieties of dahlia and more. The aquatic
plants include lotus and water lilies.
From the Jardins del Mirador Offline map Google map (Telefèric de Montjuïc
(Mirador)) , opposite the Mirador Transbordador Aeri (Telefèric) station, you have fine
views over the port of Barcelona. A little further downhill, the Jardins de Joan Brossa