Side B: Montjuïc

Montjuïc sits in the southwest part of Barcelona and is the site of the 1929 International Fair and 1992 Olympics. From Plaça d’Espanya, the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya sits perched high on the hill (which apparently sits 699ft above the commercial port on the other side).

Plaça d’Espanya – this fountain is by Josep Maria Jujol, a follower of Gaudi and the sculptures from Miquel Blay

Facing Montjuïc you see two brick campaniles by Ramon Raventós, modeled after the bell towers of St. Mark’s in Venice. This is the entrance way toward Museu Nacional which is the main site of the 1929 International Exhibition.

Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya from the outside. I’m sure it’s just as lovely inside, housing Europe’s finest collection of early medieval frescoes.

The back of Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya

Above: looking from Montjuïc towards Plaça d’Espanya

Below: pictures from my walk around Montjuïc

Estadio Olímpic de Montjuïc – the façade was preserved from the original stadium built for the 1936 “Alternative” Olympics, which were canceled due to the Spanish civil war. The arena was refitted and used for the 1992 Olympics.

I weighed the pros and cons of jail time for jumping the fence for a quick sprint on this track. In the end I decided I just didn't have the right shoes - to run on this track or from the police.

Below: Statue, gardens of the Palau Nacional

Montjuïc - a view from Plaça d’Espanya a dusk.

Fountains – during the day the fountains are not turned on; however Thursday to Sunday nights, from 9-10pm this is the place to be. There is a quite a show put on, including music, with the fountain, which as you see in the pictures below, draws quite the crowd!