One of the most recognizable landmarks in Barcelona, the Llus Companys Olympic Stadium was the shining light of the 1992 Summer Olympics. Guided tours are available, and the venue is used for major athletic and cultural events.
Pere Domènech i Roure designed the Olympic Stadium in Barcelona to house the 1929 Universal Exhibition. In 1989, it was reopened in time for the World Cup in Athletics. Estadi Olmpic Llus Companys was renamed in 2001 to honor the man who served as president of the Government of Catalonia from 1934 to 1940: Llus Companys.
After extensive renovation, this magnificent stadium played home to the opening and closing ceremonies of the 1992 Olympics and athletics events during the 1992 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Barcelona. The stadium’s capacity was extended to hold up to 56,000 people, and a new infrastructure was built with high-tech equipment.
The outside design of the modern stadium is reminiscent of the original. Vicenç Navarro sculpted the building’s front, while Pau Gargallo created the figures that stand above the door.
What is Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium used for?
The Palau Sant Jordi, the Bernat Picornell swimming pools, and the Institut Nacional d’Educació Fsica de Catalunya (National Institute of Physical Education of Catalonia, INEFC) together form part of the Anella Olmpica (Olympic Ring) in the center of the Parc de Montjuc.
The stadium was designated as a UEFA five-star stadium in 1998, allowing it to host international football tournament finals. Rugby matches, athletics trials, motor competitions, and the finals of many school and collegiate sporting events are also held in the stadium.
The space may be rented out all year long for athletic, social, and cultural activities, and it has hosted a number of prestigious musical performances. Tours of the Olympic Stadium, the Olympic Palace, and the Olympic Esplanade (Esplanada de l’Anella) are available daily.
History of Olympics that took place at Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium
As a key component of the so-called Olympic Ring in Montjuc Park, the Llus Companys Olympic Stadium is among the most recognizable sporting venues in Barcelona.
The city of Barcelona has a unique place in the hearts of many since it was the site of the amazing opening and closing ceremonies for the Olympic Games in 1992, among many other significant events.
Opening in 1929 as part of the Barcelona International Exposition, the stadium was designed by architect Llus Abellán Aynés and remained in use until 1955, when it was shut down for the Mediterranean Games.
The stadium fell into disrepair after these events, and it wasn’t until the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona that a team of architects led by Vittorio Gregotti, Frederic Correa, Alfons Milà, Joan Margarit, and Carles& Buxadé renovated it from top to bottom. The stadium’s façade was left unaltered while additional stands were constructed inside to increase its capacity to 54,000.
Conclusion
Originally constructed in 1927 for the 1929 World’s Fair, the Barcelona Olympic Stadium is also known as the Estadi Olmpic de Montjuc. The Olympic Stadium was constructed in anticipation of the 1936 Summer Games, which were ultimately hosted by Berlin.
For the 1992 Summer Olympics, the Montjuic stadium was refurbished in 1989 to be the major venue. A total of 54,000 spectators can fit within the Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium.
In 2001, the Olympic Stadium in Barcelona was named after the former president of Catalonia, Llus Companys i Jover. He was murdered at the neighboring Montjuc Castle.
