Sants-Montjuïc
Nestled in besides Montjuïc hill, Sants-Montjuïc has a long history and its own identity. Descending from up in the hills all the way down to the sea, it is home to a myriad of avenues and squares full of shopping and entertainment. Spanning an area of 2,090 hectares, it is the largest district in Barcelona. In fact, it occupies a fifth of the municipal area, which makes it a melting point of people and cultures.
The Sants-Montjuïc district dates back to the year 1897 when the independent village of Santa Maria de Sants was annexed by Barcelona. Over the course of the twentieth century, other areas also gradually became part of the city, such as La Bordeta, Hostafrancs, Sants-Badal, Montjuïc, which is home to the Font de la Guatlla neighbourhood (developed for the 1929 International Exposition), La Marina and Poble-sec.
Owing to the integration of these separate areas into the urban jigsaw, it is no surprise that Sants-Montjuïc these days has a many-sided personality with each neighbourhood managing to conserve its own identity. Traces of their history, left behind over the years, can still be found today. In fact, you can still get a sense of those times when the economy revolved around industry in neighbourhoods such as La Marina and La Bordeta, where former factories and workers’ homes still stand. The latter is home to the former textile factory Can Batlló, now partly reconverted into an active, self-managed cultural centre.
One of the key moments in the district’s urban makeup took place in the early twentieth century when various spaces and facilities were built for the great International Exposition of 1929. They can still be visited today, as they have been given a new lease of life as cultural or public spaces. Must-sees include Plaça d’Espanya, the National Palace (the location of the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya), the German Pavilion, the Magic Fountain and Poble Espanyol. Subsequent to the exposition came another great event, the second defining moment in the city’s history: the 1992 Olympic Games. For the occasion the Olympic Stadium was renovated (it was originally built in 1929) and the Anella Olímpica, or the Olympic Ring, was completed with important buildings such as the Palau Sant Jordi sports arena, designed by Arata Isozaki, and the Telecommunications Tower, by Santiago Calatrava. If we throw into the mix prestigious museums such as CaixaForum and the Fundació Joan Miró, it’s clear that the district is an essential place to visit for any tourist.
One of the most colourful and lively places in Sants-Montjuïc is the neighbourhood of Poble-sec, whose streets are home to a fine selection of theatres, cafés and bars perfect for taking a break. You’ll also find an air-raid shelter built by local residents themselves during the Spanish Civil War. Another important place in terms of entertainment is Avinguda Paral·lel, the dividing line between the districts of Eixample and Ciutat Vella. In addition to modern restaurants, the busy thoroughfare boasts legendary music halls such as Apolo and El Molino, as well as dozens of bars, nightclubs and theatres.
Barcelona’s southernmost district also enjoys a prime location converging with nature by way of Montjuïc Park, a green space set across a 185-metre-tall hill. It is called Montjuïc (Jewish hill) because Sephardic Jews bought the land in order to bury their dead there. Interestingly, the stone used to build some of the city’s most important monuments, such as the church of Santa Maria del Mar, came from its quarries. The hill’s lofty peaks—which you can avoid having to climb by using the cable car—provide magnificent panoramic views of the port and the coast.
In short, Sants-Montjuïc is a district that offers it all with nature, culture, markets, theatres, sports facilities and a great deal of community life.
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The Magic Fountain of Montjuïc: Barcelona’s music, water and light show
On the slopes of Montjuïc hill lies this huge fountain, whose interplay of water, music and light has dazzled locals and visitors alike since 1929.
The Funicular de Montjuïc, the fastest way to reach the Olympic Ring and castle
The Funicular de Montjuïc whisks you up to the Estadi Olímpic and Fundació Joan Miró in just two minutes. It also connects to the cable car for access to the castle and its viewpoints.
Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya: a palace of art
In a palace in the prime setting of Montjuïc, the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya offers a complete art experience.