By Zexi Zhang
Barcelona is filled with many historical landmarks and is said to be even older than Rome which already dates back to early 5000 BC.
Some popular historical sites that Barcelona holds for its visitors and residents are La Sagrada Familia, Arc de Triomf, Park Guell, Las Ramblas and a lot more. Most of the popular historical structures are built by Catalan architect, Antoni Gaudi, such as La Sagrada Familia, Park Guell, Casa Batllo, Casa Mila, etc.
But one historical site that is known as the “castle on the hill” in Barcelona is the Montjuïc Castle that was built by the architect Juan Martin Cermeno who was also a military engineer.
Lela Meyers, who is an avid castle lover, strongly advocates for Castle Montjuic. When she visited Montjuic she brought her tiara with her to live in the moment. “I love castles and I know almost everything about them and their history. I’m like a tour guide who leaves out the boring stuff when I go with my friends.”
The castle rests on top of the Montjuic mountain which is about 173 meters above sea level and is located right next to the Mediterranean Sea, giving the castle a panoramic view of the city of Barcelona and the ports of the sea where cruise ships enter and exit.
To reach Castle Monjuic, visitors could take a cable car up there for only 10 euros, or they could take a bus up to the top of the mountain. By taking the cable car up the mountain, it also gives the guests a grand view of Barcelona from above.
The view of the city from the comfort of the cable car.
History of Castle Montjuic
Castle Montjuic is an old military fortress and its history could be traced back until the 1640s when it was used during the Reapers’ War.
The Reapers’ War, also known as the Catalan Revolt, lasted from 1640-1659. The war was caused by the death of a Catalan segador and resulted in conflicts that affected the Principality of Catalonia.
The first fortress to Castle Montjuic was built in 1640 and is still up and standing to this day.
The castle is the ideal site for a defense system because it offers a 360 degree view of the territory so they would always be aware of their surroundings and ready for any attacks.
During the War of the Spanish Succession from 1701-1714, Castle Montjuic was severely damaged and had to go through major remodeling. This is when architect Juan Martin Cermeno stepped in as he was responsible for the repairs of the castle.
Then during the late 19th century, the castle began to be used as a fancy prison for the more privileged individuals. Now, the Montjuic castle is owned by the Barcelona City Council and open to visitors with general admission tickets at 5 euros.
Components of the Castle
In 1751 during the castle’s reconstruction, Cermeno designed the entrance bridge and facade as part of the castle’s defense mechanism. The style of the access bridge is a neoclassical design, which uses columns to welcome visitors inside the gates.
The entrance moat of the castle that is now filled with beautiful scenery
He also designed the moat for the castle that’s located around the perimeter of the structure. Now, it’s a beautiful landscaped area with plenty of greens and flowers.
Montjuic also has four defensive walls for bastions, they have two on the outside and then two on the inside. These structures are used to protect the fortification. Bastions are built at an angle to the line of the wall and used to fire defensive fire in multiple directions and to protect the flanks.
The two defensive walls on the outside of the castle. They fire from the triangles.
There is also a parade ground at the highest part of the castle. This is a wide unroofed quadrangle which gives access to the main rooms of the castle and is surrounded by an arcade. There are stairs at the parade ground that then lead to the terrace and the watchtower of Montjuic.
A view of the parade ground which leads to many of the main rooms of the castle.
The watchtower is the highest part of the compound and from there it offers a 360 degree view of its surroundings, making it the ideal watchtower spot that overlooks the sea.
The terrace is really spacious for visitors and the watchtower looks powerful up there.
Haley Marcano, who is visiting from New York and in Spain for a week, was found on a bench at the terrace basking in the sun. “It is really nice up here. I love how I can feel the sea breeze on my face while taking in the beauty of Barcelona.”
Up on the terrace, it offers an unbeatable view of the city, the hill, and the sea.
The gorgeous view of Barcelona, the sea and the backyard of the castle from the terrace.
Castle Montjuic was also used as a prison in the late 19th century and imprisoned many anarchists, trade unionists and revolutionaries. Some of the prisoners were also then executed there as well at the moat by a firing squad.
During the Civil War, which lasted from 1936-1939, almost 1,500 soldiers and civilians were imprisoned at Castle Montjuic with 250 of them not making it out alive.
But one of the most significant imprisonments that Montjuic experienced was the imprisonment and execution of Lluis Companys I Jover who was the president of the Autonomous Catalan Government during the Civil War. He was found guilty for opposing the military uprising and then tolerating the crimes that went down behind the line along with military rebellion. On October 15, 1940, he was executed by a firing squad in the Santa Eulalia moat, where most of the other executions have taken place.
There is a wall in the garden of the castle that was also used as a firing squad for its prisoners.
“If you look at this wall, it has many indents because this was the wall that was used to fire at its prisoners,” said Lela, the castle expert. “But the other wall over there is practically clean.”
Look at the difference in texture between the two adjacent walls.
Other than the fact that this castle holds so much history within its roots making it a super interesting place to visit, it also has many beautiful sceneries and a garden to walk through and enjoy.
One step inside of the castle and you can’t help but be transported back into history and as you take in the ancient sites.
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