
Day Trip Rucksack
Small 10L day trip and museums rucksack
The Barcelona Olympic Stadium, Estadi Olímpic de Montjuïc has the full name of Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys and what you see today is one of many structures built around Barcelona for the 1992 Olympic Games.
The first incarnation of a Staduim in Montjuïc was built by Pere Domènech i Roura for the 1929 World Exhibition where montjuic was the venue for varous event halls.
The idea behind building a stadium for the 1929 world Expo was to re use it several years later for the 1936 Summer Olympics. This plan did not work out because of the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War from 1936 to 1939. The 1936 Olympics were held in Berlin.
At the End of the Spanish Civil War, Spain became a dictatorship under General Franscisco Franco And the presdent of Catalunya was Held prisoner in Montjuïc Castle. On the 15th October 1940, the Francoist Regime Executed Lluís Companys by firing squad.
In the 1950s, Montjuïc stadium was the centerpiece of the 1955 Mediterranean Games, and in 1957 it hosted the only national football cup Final between FC Barcelona and RCD Espanyol, the two local clubs.
In the 1970s, Montjuïc stadium was disused, and the stands deteriorated and the stadium was used as a paddock for the Spainish Grand Prix.
In 1968, Montjuïc was selected as the venue for the Spanish Grand Prix, which had previously been held at the Jarama circuit in Madrid. The First Montjuïc Grand Prix was on 4 May 1969. The hilly anticlockwise 3.7 Km course had one half slow and the other very fast, making set up of the cars up a challenge.
The 1975 Spanish Grand Prix was a tragedy. Many drivers felt that the circuit was unsafe. Two time world champion Emerson Fittipaldi declined to take part. On lap 26 the Embassy Hill-Lola car of Rolf Stommelen left the track, killing four people.
The circuit of Montjuïc was also the scene of the 24 hours of Montjuïc, a motorcycle endurance race from 1960 to 1982.
Montjuïc Motor Racing Circuit Overlayed on a Modern Map of Montjuïc
Since 1991, the Spanish Grand Prix has been Held at the Montmelo Racing circuit, about 30 minutes outside of Barcelona.
The stadium was extensively remodeled for the 1992 Olympic Games with only the façade being preserved. It was renamed Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys.
The Montjuïc stadium was the home of football club RCD Espanyol from 1997 until 2009 until they moved to the new stadium in Cornella de Llobregat.
Today the stadium is Semi abandoned, only being used for summer concerts by large bands.
Click on any of the 13 images to open full screen gallery player
It is possible to visit the interior of the staduim. It is not possible to walk all the way round the grand stand but you can go inside via the main enterance for free and see the stadium.
Behind the main outdoor arena is a smaller hall called Sala Sant Jordi that hosts rock concerts. I have seen Gary Moore, Deep purple and Motorhead here.
Montjuïc Olympic Stadium Tourist visits can be accessed step free from the main entrance arch in 56 Avenida del Estadio, with the habitual tourist route being via entrance 14 accessible via about 10 steps. The tourist route is all one level on the ground floor.
No other access restriction are in force.
There is a cafeteria inside the stadium tourist visit area. I would recommend taking a bottle of water if exploring on a budget.
Address: Passeig Olimpic 15-17, Barcelona. 08038
Montjuïc Olympic Stadium can be reached by bus or by walking.
Click on any one of the 2 PDFs to view in full screen and download.
City walk in barcelona via Olimpic Montjuic. Museum of Catalan Art (MNAC), Palau Jordi, Olimpic Stadium, Botanical gardens, Olympic museum of sport and Olympic diving pools.
Distance: 7.07 Km
Difficulty: Easy
Return Travel Fare: T-Casual Zone 1
Transport Network: Barcelona Metro