The Magic Fountain of Montjuic is a large ornamental fountain in Barcelona known for its seasonal evening displays of lights, music and dancing jets of water. Located at the top of the Avinguda Maria Cristina, the fountain sits below the Palau Nacional near the Plaça d'Espanya and the Poble Espanyol.
Visitors of all ages are captivated by evening performances at the famed Magic Fountain of Montjuic in Barcelona. The Magic Fountain utilizes over 3,500 jets to spray 700 gallons of water into the air per second, with some sprays reaching well over 100 feet into the air. To conserve drinking water, the Magic Fountain of Montjuic operates exclusively on recycled water. The fountain’s central location and raised elevation provides sweeping views over the city of Barcelona, and on clear days visitors may be able to see all the way to the slopes of the Tibidabo.
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What are the highlights of the Magic Fountain of Montjuic in Barcelona?
The Magic Fountain of Montjuic was originally designed and built for the Barcelona International Exposition in 1929. It debuted a day before the exposition began, completely designed and constructed in less than a year. The historic fountain was severely damaged and inoperable during the Spanish Civil War, until 1955 when the original designer could oversee the repairs.
Today, the Magic Fountain of Montjuic still delights viewers in Barcelona year-round. Music was incorporated in the 1980s to accompany the existing light show and dancing jets of water. Prior musical performances that have accompanied the Magic Fountain of Montjuic have included a range of classical and modern music, as well as movie soundtracks such as The Lord of The Rings, The Godfather and Gladiator.
What other attractions are located near the Magic Fountain of Montjuic?
You can easily incorporate a visit to the Magic Fountain of Montjuic into a day of sightseeing in Barcelona, thanks to the fountain’s central location. Spain Square is a nearby landmark, offering panoramic views of the city and historical monuments. Museum galleries nearby include diverse art collections at the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya and Museu Picasso, and artifacts and pre-historic collections at the Catalan Museum of Archeology.
Historic Gaudi architecture near the Magic Fountain of Montjuic includes Casa Batlló, La Sagrada Familia and Casa Milà. You can go shopping at the Mercado de La Boqueria, a popular public food market, or explore a historic 13th-century church at the Cathedral of Barcelona. Park Güell offers expansive green space and gardens, as well as playgrounds, walking trails and historic buildings.
Good to know when visiting Barcelona’s Magic Fountain of Montjuic
Illumination performances at the Magic Fountain of Montjuic occur at half-hour intervals on weekend evenings in Barcelona. Seasonal schedules are extended for more evening performances during Barcelona’s popular summer tourist season. Additional information, including the fountain’s annual performance schedules, can be found on the Barcelona tourism website.
If you’re ready to check out one of the fanciful evening performances at the Magic Fountain of Montjuic in Barcelona, locals recommend arriving early to secure a good viewpoint. Stairs and terraces around the fountain provide ample viewing points for the fountain’s evening shows, but they are very popular with tourists and locals alike. There are wheelchair-accessible viewing points available for the fountain’s performances. Visitors can reach the Magic Fountain by public transit, including bus, metro and taxi cab.
Magic Fountain of Montjuic in Barcelona
Location: Plaça de Carles Buïgas, 1, 08038 Barcelona, Spain
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