Magic Fountain of Montjuïc

Carles Buïgas, a renowned designer of illuminated fountains since 1922, was responsible for creating the Magic Fountain. The fountain was erected on the site formerly occupied by The Four Columns, which were symbols of the Catalanism movement until their demolition in 1928 on the orders of Prime Minister Miguel Primo de Rivera. However, in 2010, they were rebuilt a few meters away from their original location.

Despite the criticism of many who deemed his plan too ambitious for the limited time available, Buïgas submitted his design a year before the start of the Exposition. The construction process employed more than 3,000 workers, and the first show was held on May 19, 1929, one day before the opening of the Exposition. Following the Spanish Civil War, Buigas oversaw the necessary repairs to the fountain, which had suffered severe damage, and it was not operational until 1955.

In the 1980s, music was added to the light show, and the fountain, as well as the National Museum, underwent a complete restoration prior to the 1992 Summer Olympics, which took place in Montjuïc. The performances, which include classical and contemporary music as well as popular hits such as "Barcelona" by Freddie Mercury and Montserrat Caballé, take place at half-hour intervals on weekends and are extended during the summer season. Film scores such as The Godfather, The Lord of the Rings, and Gladiator, as well as a Spanish zarzuela movement, are among the featured performances.