The low Montjuic mountain (173 meters) is located directly above the port of Barcelona and dominates the entire city. Therefore a fortress with a powerful system of defensive fortifications and cannons was built on the top. On the slope of the hill near the fortress, there are sports facilities that were left after the 1992 Olympics.
Fortress bastions were built on mount Montjuïc during Reapers` War. Under king Philip IV in 1640, the Catalans were stripped of their privileges and autonomy, resulting in a revolt. With the help of French troops in 1641, the Catalans won a victory over Spanish troops in the battle of Montjuic. The Spanish authorities were expelled from Barcelona, and Catalonia became independent.
Immediately, the construction of the fortress of Montjuic mount began to protect the port and the city itself. The construction of the fortress walls and bastions was completed in 1652. But in this year the political situation changed. France could no longer support Catalonia, and in 1652 Spanish power in Barcelona was restored.
Since the fortress of Montjuic was built in great haste during the Reapers` War, it had to be completely rebuilt a century later. Then full-fledged fortress walls and bastions appeared. In this form, the fortress has been preserved to this day.
In the 19th century, the fortress of Montjuic was a prison, and in 1963, by order of General Franco, a military Museum was created here. There are no large-scale expositions or interior decoration. Of interest is the fortress itself and the views of the city that open from its walls.
