Montjuïc Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium

About Montjuïc Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium

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.

Montjuïc Olympic Stadium History

1929 Barcelona International Exposition

The first incarnation of a Staduim in Montjuïc was built by Pere Domènech i Roura for the 1929 World Exhibition where Montjuïc was the venue for various 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 Catalonia 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.

1968 to 1982 Spanish Grand Prix and Motorsport

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 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.

Since 1991, the Spanish Grand Prix has been Held at the Montmelo Racing circuit, about 30 minutes outside of Barcelona.

1992 Summer Olympic Games & RCD Espanyol

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.

The Montjuïc stadium is currently the provisional home of FCB Barcelona while the Camp Nou stadium is being rebuilt. The stadium is also used for summer concerts by large bands.

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Visiting Montjuïc Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium

It is possible to visit the interior of the stadium. It is not possible to walk all the way round the grand stand but you can go inside via the main entrance for free and see the stadium.

Montjuïc Olympic Stadium Tourist visits

• Summer: 08:00h to 20:00h.
• Winter: 10:00h to 18:00h.
• Note: When there are events in the stadium this may affect the opening of the tourist visiting section.

UPDATE: While the Olympic stadium is the temporary home of FCB, Tourist visits are suspended.

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.

Getting to Montjuïc Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium

Address: Passeig Olimpic 15-17, Barcelona. 08038

Montjuïc Olympic Stadium can be reached by bus or by walking.

• The Barcelona Bus Touristic Red Route Stops in the Montjuïc Olympic Zone in front of the Olympic Stadium. From Here it is a 600m walk to the Botanical Gardens.


• The TMB 150 bus stops at the Montjuïc Olympic Stadium. From Here it is a 600m walk to the Botanical Gardens.


• Walking 2km from Plaza España on TMB Metro on the green (L3) and red (L2) lines. Walk towards MNAC Palau nacional building. You can use the escalators to ascend or descend the different terraced levels. When you get to the last terrace area the escalator to go up the MNAC can be found to the right of the terrace level walking past a patio bar. Walk down the right side of MNAC building and ascend the last escalator to emerge infront of the Olympic Stadium. follow the road round to the right of the Olympic Stadium into Carrer de Foc and continue for another 600m
  
  
• Walk from TMB Metro Foc on the light blue (L10) line following Carrer de Foc to the stadium (1.6 Km).


• Walk from Montjuïc TMB Funicular station along Avenida d'Estadí (800 m).

The Barcelona Bus Touristic Red Route Stops in the Montjuïc Olympic Zone in front of the Olympic Stadium.

For maps of the bus routes and Montjuïc mountain visit the Montjuïc page documents section.

TMB line 150 Bus timesPublic Transport Guide

Where to stay overnight in the Montjuic Olympic Stadium