High on the plateau of Montjuïc, the Anella Olímpica (Olympic Ring) preserves the main venues of the 1992 Barcelona Olympics — an ensemble of buildings that together represent one of the most successful Olympic legacies in the history of the modern Games. Unlike many Olympic sites that fall into disuse and decay, Barcelona’s venues have been continuously used and remain integral to the city’s sporting and cultural life.
The Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys
The Olympic stadium was originally built in 1929 for the International Exposition and renovated extensively for 1992. Its neoclassical exterior facade was preserved while the interior was completely rebuilt to accommodate 65,000 spectators. The stadium hosted the opening and closing ceremonies and the athletics events of the 1992 Games. Today it is used for concerts, sporting events, and — in recent years — as the home ground of Espanyol’s football club during the renovation of their own stadium.
Santiago Calatrava’s Torre de Comunicació
The most visually distinctive element of the Olympic Ring is Santiago Calatrava’s white telecommunications tower — an inclined column with an angular profile that serves as both a functional antenna and a sculptural landmark. The tower has become one of the most recognised architectural images of the 1992 Games.
Palau Sant Jordi and the INEFC
The Palau Sant Jordi, designed by Japanese architect Arata Isozaki, is one of the finest sports halls ever built — a sweeping steel dome covering 17,000 seats, used for the gymnastics and volleyball events in 1992 and now one of Barcelona’s main concert venues. The adjacent INEFC sports science institute, designed by Ricardo Bofill, completes the ensemble.
Getting There
The Anella Olímpica is on the Montjuïc plateau, accessible from the Montjuïc funicular or cable car. Most venues can be viewed from outside; check individual venues for public access to interiors.