If you want an incredible view of Barcelona, there's hardly a better place than the Torre de Collserola.
In this article, I'll take you through some interesting facts about the city's highest point.
Torre de Collserola: article summary
- Torre de collserola: a tower on Barcelona's most famous hill
- A tower built for the Barcelona Olympics
- The Torre de collserola was designed by a world-renowned architect
- A communication tower like no other
- The highest observatory in Barcelona
- Its main purpose is to serve as a TV and radio transmitter
- A breathtaking view from the observation deck
Torre de collserola: a tower on Barcelona's most famous hill
The Torre de Collserola takes its name from the mountain range in which it stands, the Serra de Collserola. This mountain range lies between the Besòs and Llobregat rivers. It is part of the largest Catalan coastal range.
The tower is also close to the summit of the highest point in this mountain range, the famous hill of the Tibidabo. It reaches a total altitude of 512 metres above sea level.
The top of this hill is also home to one of the city's most famous monumentsthe Temple of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
A tower built for the Barcelona Olympics
The original idea of building a tower on the Tibidabo hill was born when it was announced that Barcelona would become the venue for the 1992 Summer Olympics. This major sporting event put the city in the international spotlight all summer long.
Two telecom companies and Barcelona's local government join forces to manage the project from 1987.
The Torre de collserola was designed by a world-renowned architect
Given the scale of the event for which it was built, the design of the Torre de Collserola had to be something special. It had to impress the world and also become an incredible permanent addition to Barcelona's skyline.
Shortly after the project was created, an international design competition was launched to find the perfect design, which also included a tendering process.
The winner was the famous British architect Norman Foster, a man who went on to design some of the world's most famous buildings. Some of his most notable works include the reconstruction of the the Reichstag in Berlin, the Millau Viaduct in France and Wembley Stadium in London.
A communication tower like no other
One of the most remarkable facts about Torre de Collserola is that Foster, in collaboration with engineering firm OVE ARUP, designed the tower. so as to minimize the visual impact on the natural environment.
This is why the tower's concrete shaft has a diameter of just 4.5 metres. To compensate for the tower's thin core, the engineers attached guy wires. to support the 3,000-ton structure.
Very few high observation towers have this characteristic. Another notable example is the Sydney Tower in Australia. At 309 metres, it is the second-tallest tower in the southern hemisphere.
The highest observatory in Barcelona
Of the tower's 13 floors, only the 10ᵉ floor opens to the public. This floor is used as an observation platform and for special events.
The public viewing platform is located at a height of 560 metres above sea level, which means that it is the highest point you can find in Barcelona!
Its main purpose is to serve as a TV and radio transmitter
In addition to serving as an observation tower, Torre de Collserola is mainly used as a television and radio transmitter. FM radio began broadcasting from the tower in 1993, and its capabilities have continued to improve ever since.
A breathtaking view from the observation deck
On a clear day, the observation platform known as "El Mirador" gives you views of up to 70 kilometers. This means you can get a 360-degree view of Collserola Park, the monastery of Montserrat and even the CadÃ-Moixeró mountain range!
It's an ideal tourist attraction to enjoy a breathtaking view of the area in and around the city that you won't see anywhere else! If you're ever in Barcelona, I highly recommend a visit to the Torre de Collserola.
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