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Montjuïc - Hill of the Jews in medieval Catalan or maybe a corruption of Latin Mons Jovicus that is, hill of Jupiter. Both the cities of Girona and Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, have a Montjuïc.
In Barcelona it is a massive hill overlooking the harbour, with a 17th century castle at the top. The top can be reached using a funicular and then a cableway. Part of the slopes are covered with well attended gardens.
The Olympic Stadium used in the 1992 Summer Olympics is located in the slopes opposite to the city. It was originally built for the non-fascist "alternative Olympics" in 1936, which were never held due to the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War. The Olympic Plaza is dominated by a striking, yet non-functioning, telecommunications tower designed by the architect Santiago Calatrava, and built in 1992.
The roads in the slopes facing the city used to be a Formula One racing circuit, hosting the Spanish Grand Prix on four occassions. However, a terrible accident in the 1975 race saw Rolf Stommelen's car crash into the stands, killing five spectators; the Spanish Grand Prix never returned to Montjuïc as a result.
Formula One history
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