A Wander Around Barcelona's Castell de Montju�c

November 15, 2012 at 12:13 PM | by jetflyboy | Comments (0)

Right about now, you might be day-dreaming of a beach vacation or somewhere the sun shines all day and the people are hot, hot, hot. Come with us on a Spanish adventure, more specifically to Barcelona. The city is known for fine beaches, partying until the wee hours of the morning, tapas and lots of sangria. While we partook in a little of each—maybe more than a little when it came to the sangria—we brought a little history and culture into our days with a castle visit.

Montju�c, historically speaking, was the the area that the medieval Jewish community buried their dead, thus the Catalan translation of Jewish Mountain. Now it sits to welcome cruise and cargo ships from the Mediterranean, all the while keeping a watchful eye on the city below. The park area is not easy to reach; either by climbing the steps on the front or riding the funicular from the port, it takes some sweat or fears.

Once on top of the hill, dry off and check out the Castell de Montju�c proper. The majority of the fortification dates back to the 17th century with a few additions in the 18th century and it all plays an important role on the city and its history. From protecting Barcelona from Bourbon attacks in 1706 to Franco-era executions as recent as 1940, the fort certainly has had a rough life.

Meander inside to see the ancient halls and old prison cells then make your way outside to spy World War II heavy artillery. There is much to see and experience at the location, including the views of everything else. The sea, city and hills beyond are your reward for making it up here. We can only imagine what intruders would have thought looking up the giant walls; surely it wasn't anything about the awesome photo op.

Pro Tip: Fill your belly and hydrate before you head up the hill. There is a cafe in the main square of the fort, but it's expensive and with a poor selection and even poorer service, it's not worth the hassle.

[Photos: Rayme Gorniak/Jaunted]

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