Palau Sant Jordi, Indoor arena in Sants-Montjuïc, Barcelona, Spain
The Palau Sant Jordi is an indoor arena in Montjuïc, Barcelona, with a curved metal and glass roof structure visible from a distance. The interior is arranged in multiple tiers of seating that surround a central floor space used as a stage or playing surface depending on the event.
Arata Isozaki designed the arena in the late 1980s as part of the preparations for the Olympic Games that Barcelona hosted in 1992. Construction was completed in 1990, and the venue served as the site for gymnastics and handball during the Games.
The name honors Saint George, the patron saint of Catalonia, whose red cross flag can be seen throughout the city. During major concerts, people gather here from across Spain, while sports fans fill the stands for international competitions.
The arena sits on the Olympic grounds on Montjuïc hill and can be reached easily by bus line 150 or the cable car from the port area. Arriving early allows more time to navigate the corridors and find your seat without rushing.
The roof was assembled off-site and later raised into position using hydraulic jacks, a technical process rarely used in Europe at the time. The dome consists of prefabricated sections that were assembled on location without scaffolding.
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