Magic Fountain of Montjuïc facts for kids
The Magic Fountain of Montjuïc is a famous fountain in Barcelona, Spain. Its name means "Magic Fountain of Montjuïc" in both Catalan (Catalan: Font màgica de Montjuïc) and Spanish (Spanish: Fuente mágica de Montjuic).
You can find it at the top of Avinguda Maria Cristina, in the Montjuïc area. It sits below the Palau Nacional (National Palace) on Montjuïc mountain. The fountain is also close to Plaça d'Espanya and the Poble Espanyol village.
This amazing fountain was built for the 1929 Barcelona International Exposition. It sprays a huge amount of water, about 700 gallons every second. It uses 3,620 water jets to create its beautiful effects. The highest water spout can reach up to 170 feet (about 52 meters) into the air!
Contents
History of the Magic Fountain
Designing a Masterpiece
The Magic Fountain was designed by a talented person named Carles Buïgas. He was known for creating fountains with lights, and he had been doing this since 1922.
The spot where the fountain now stands used to have something else. It was the location of The Four Columns. These columns were important symbols of the Catalanism movement, which supported Catalan culture and identity.
In 1928, the columns were taken down by order of Prime Minister Miguel Primo de Rivera. However, they were put back up in 2010, just a few meters from their original place.
Building the Fountain
Carles Buïgas shared his design for the fountain a year before the big exhibition. Many people thought his plan was too big and that there wasn't enough time to build it.
But they went ahead with the project! Over 3,000 workers helped to build the fountain. The very first show at the Magic Fountain happened on May 19, 1929. This was just one day before the 1929 Barcelona International Exposition officially began.
Repairs and New Features
Sadly, the fountain was badly damaged during the Spanish Civil War. It stopped working for many years. It wasn't until 1955 that it started operating again. Carles Buïgas, the original designer, even came back to help oversee the necessary repairs.
In the 1980s, something new and exciting was added: music! The light show now had music playing along with it. The fountain, along with the Museu Nacional (National Museum), was fully fixed up before the 1992 Summer Olympics. These Olympic Games were held right there in Montjuïc.
Today, the shows at the Magic Fountain include music from movies, classical pieces, and modern pop songs. You might hear themes from movies like The Godfather, The Lord of the Rings, or Gladiator. They also play a Spanish opera piece called a zarzuela, and the famous song "Barcelona" by Freddie Mercury and Montserrat Caballé.
The performances happen every weekend, usually every half-hour. During the summer, the weekend shows are extended, so you have more chances to see this amazing display of water, light, and music!
See also
In Spanish: Fuente Mágica de Montjuic para niños
