Page 306 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Europe

304  THE IBERIAN PENINSULA

Exhibition, and later for the 1992 Miró (1893–1983) is lit by
Olympics. On the western edge natural light.
is the Poble Espanyol – a An admirer of primitive
“village” of streets and squares, Catalan art and Gaudí’s
created in 1929 to showcase Modernism, Miró developed a
Spanish architectural styles. The Surrealistic style, with vivid
Museu Arqueo lògic holds finds colors and fantastical forms that
from prehistoric cultures in suggested dreamlike situations.
Catalonia and the Balearic Miró himself donated the works
Islands. The Museu Etnològic displayed here. Some of the
houses artifacts from Oceania, best pieces at the museum
Africa, Asia, and Latin America. include his Barcelona Series
The summit of Montjuïc is (1939–44), a set of 50 black-and-
occupied by the huge 18th- white lithographs. Temporary
century Castell de Montjuïc, exhibitions of other artists’ work
built for the Bourbon family. The are also held here.
castle has been converted into
an International Peace Center,
with exhibitions on the history of
Pretty whitewashed houses in Poble the castle and the Montjuïc
Espanyol, Montjuïc Mountain. In summer, outdoor
film screenings take place.
9 Montjuïc
q Espanya, Poble Sec, Paral·lel. + Castell de Montjuïc
@ 13, 50, 150 from Plaça Espanya. Parc de Montjuïc. Tel 93-256 44 40.
q Paral·lel, then funicular & cable car.
The hill of Montjuic, rising to Open daily. Closed Jan 1, Dec 25.
213 m (699 ft) above the & 8 7
commercial port on the south E Museu Arqueològic
side of the city, is Barcelona’s Passeig Santa Madrona 39. Tel 93-423
biggest recreation area. Its 21 49. q Espanya, Poble Sec. Open
museums, art galleries, Tue–Sat, Sun am & public hols. Closed
amusement park, and Jan 1, Dec 25 & 26. & 7 ∑ mac.es
nightclubs make it popular
night and day. The hill is also a 0 Fundació Joan
spectacular vantage point from The Palau Nacional, home of the Museu
which to view the city. Miró Nacional d’Art de Catalunya
There was probably a Celt- Parc de Montjuïc. Tel 93-443 94 70. q Museu Nacional
Iberian settlement here before q Espanya or Paral·lel, then bus 55 or
the Romans built a temple to 150. Open Tue–Sat, Sun am & public d’Art de Catalunya
Jupiter on their Mons Jovis, hols. Closed Jan 1, Dec 25 & 26. & Palau Nacional, Parc de Montjuïc.
which may have given Montjuïc 7 ∑ fmirobcn.org Tel 93-622 03 60. q Espanya.
its name. Another theory Open Tue–Sat, Sun am & public hols.
suggests that a Jewish cemetery Housed in a boldly modern Closed Jan 1, May 1, Dec 25. & 8
on the hill inspired the name building designed in 1975 by call 93-622 03 75 in advance. 7
Mount of the Jews. Many Josep Lluís Sert, this collection
buildings were erected in of paintings, sculptures, and Originally built for the 1929
1929, for an International tapestries by Catalan artist Joan International Exhibition,
since 1934, the austere Palau
Nacional (National Palace) has
been used to house the city’s
most important art collection.
The museum contains one
of the greatest displays of
Romanesque art in the world,
its centerpiece being a series
of magnificent 12th-century
frescoes. These have been
peeled from Catalan Pyrenean
churches (to save them from
the ravages of pollution and
time) and pasted on to replicas
of the original vaulted ceilings
A section of the 18th-century castle on the summit of Montjuïc and apses they adorned.
For hotels and restaurants see pp330–32 and pp333–5

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