Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys (Barcelona)

Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, which overlooks the Catalan city of Barcelona, was constructed in 1927 for the hosting of the International Exposition and Barcelona’s bid to host the 1936 Olympic Games; while known as Estadio de Montjuïc.

The stadium was inaugurated in July 1929 with a football match between Bolton Wanderers and a Catalan XI. The city’s bid to host the 1936 Olympics was abandoned owing to the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War.

The Copa Del Rey; then known as Copa del Generalísimo held its finals at Montjuic on several occasions. Athletic Bilbao defeated Real Madrid in 1930 before the two sides met again in 1933 with the same outcome.

Real Madrid overcame Valencia CF in 1934 before Sevilla lifted the cup in 1939 against Racing de Ferrol. Atlético Bilbao beat Valencia in 1944 with the 1945 final replicating the 1939 occasion. In 1946 Real Madrid lifted the trophy once again with victory against Valencia CF.

The arena hosted the 1955 Mediterranean Games. The final of the 1957 Copa del Generalísimo, returned to the stadium; which attracted a crowd of 75,000 to see FC Barcelona defeat local rivals RCD Español 1-0.

The arena, on Montjuic overlooking the city, was used sparingly with the stands falling into disrepair I the 1970’s. It was used as a paddock when the Montjuïc racing circuit hosted the Spanish Grand Prix. The stadium would be given a new lease of life a few years later.

Barcelona was awarded the 1992 Summer Olympics. Only the original facades remained as new stands were built. The facilities were tested with the hosting of the athletics IAAF World Cup in 1989. The retitled Estadi Olímpic de Montjuïc saw many memorable events during the Olympics.

In 1997 RCD Espanyol sold their beloved Estadi de Sarrià to ease financial troubles and moved into Montjuic. The stadium was also home to the Barcelona Dragons American Football team. Fans of Espanyol never really took to their new venue.

In 2001 the stadium took on its current title in honour of Lluís Companys; the socialist politician and President of Catalonia from 1934 through the Spanish Civil War before being captured in exile by the Nazi Gestapo before being executed at Montjuïc Castle in 1940.

Over the years Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys has staged concerts by stellar stars such as Guns N' Roses, Michael Jackson, AC/DC, David Bowie, Pink Floyd, U2, The Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, Prince, Jean Michel Jarre and The Police.

In 2004 the stadium hosted the Copa Del Rey final; which saw Real Madrid defeat Real Zaragoza in front of 54,000 fans. It was also home to Andorra’s two international qualifying matches against England in March 2007 and September 2008.

This led to the club building the purpose built football stadium; Estadi Cornellà-El Prat, which Espanyol moved into in 2009. Again Montjuïc was left without an anchor tenant. The stadium hosted the 2010 European Athletics Championships.

My visits

October 2000

I first visited the city of Barcelona during a tour of Europe by train in October 2000. The Montjuic, as it was called then, was an obvious destination for me. It can be, depending which route you take, a very pleasant journey from the city. 

I took the Metro to Paral-lel where you catch a funicular cliff lift up to Passeig de Montjuïc from Para-lel. The view at the top of the city was excellent. 

From there I walked along the road for ten minutes, past the open air venue for the high board diving in the Olympics which enhanced my enthusiasm of the city as the cameramen cleverly had the city in the background of all the dives. 

There were quite a few coach parties parked opposite the imposing original entrance to the stadium. The gate was open allowing visitors to enter the stadium at the back of the bottom tier of seats as the stadium was sunk down several metres for its redevelopment in readiness for the games. 

The stadium consisted of a bottom bank of seats with an upper tier slightly overhanging it apart from where the original gate and tower stands behind the goal. The only roof was down the side with the changing rooms, press and camera facilities with the grey seats not doing the old place any favours which left me disappointed with what I found.

April 2001

I went on another couple of occasions. The first of which was when I visited the city for ten days and took in lots of walking and sightseeing. I went round to fellow Olympic venue, Palau Sant Jordi as well as the stadium to see mention of Scarborough boxer Paul Ingle who competed in the games.

March 2004

Colm Carton accompanied me on a weeks football holiday in Bilbao, Barcelona and Madrid. We decided to take a ride further up the hill on a chair lift up to Montjuic Castle. From here, the view of the city and beyond was truly breathtaking and well worth the effort. 

The walk back down was just as good through the gardens, past the stunning Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya and down the steps and large grand avenue to Placa d'Espanya which is worth a look in itself. Barcelona was an amazing city and Montjuïc had a prime location. It's just a shame it wasn't a football stadium!

Monday 22^nd January 2018

It was an absolutely stunning Monday lunchtime on the final full day of my long weekend in Barcelona, with temperatures over 20°. I’d only got a couple of further football grounds to visit, but now was time for sightseeing and history.

I’d got slightly lost from Plaça Espanya, which took some doing as Montjuïc was in sight just up the hill. I jumped on a bus thinking it dropped off at the stadium, only to find out that it had started out from there!

Instead I walked from the myriad of tight avenues to Av. del Paraŀlel before walking past Poble Sec to Paral-lel Metro station, which also concealed the entrance to the Funicular de Montjuïc

I’d considered going up to Montjuïc Castle on the Telefèric de Montjuïc Mirador until I saw the prices. It was definitely a “how much!” moment. I settled for a lovely walk along Avinguda Miramar taking in the weather and delightful scenery.

As I had a bit of spare time on my hands I decided to enter the Museu Olímpic i de l'Esport, only to find out that it closed on a Monday. Undeterred I continued to the main gate to the stadium; which was open as in previous visits.

It looked an absolute picture, if a little underused. At least the café and souvenir shop remained open and visitors were calling in at regular intervals. A visit to the spartan toilets gave away the true age of the structure.

I decided to do a lap outside the perimeter and take in all the photo opportunities in such great conditions, which had seen me shed a layer of clothing. I headed back down into the city via the grounds of the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya.

Barcelona’s beauty was epitomised by the whole area. Stunning gardens and buildings were in abundance. I reflected that I could sit in the area around Montjuïc for days on end enjoying the surroundings and reading, having picnics and listening to sport on the radio.

I headed to Plaça Espanya to take the Metro towards the far side of the city; doing a good deed to two young Oriental’s with large cases and exhausting Google Translate before being served by a lady who spoke English. It had been that kind of wonderful weekend.