Montjuïc Communications Tower, Television tower in Sants-Montjuïc, Spain.
The tower is a 136-meter tall white steel structure with a distinctive design that resembles an athlete kneeling to receive an Olympic medal. The tilted form supports a circular transmission platform on top, merging functional broadcasting needs with an expressive architectural shape.
Telefónica commissioned architect Santiago Calatrava to design this communications tower for broadcasting the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games. The project emerged as part of the city's infrastructure preparation for one of the decade's largest international events.
The mosaic work at the tower's base uses trencadís techniques, connecting this modern structure to traditional Catalan artistic methods. Visitors can observe these colorful fragments and see how contemporary design draws from local craftsmanship.
The location offers constantly changing shadow patterns as the central needle functions as a sundial on Europa Square. Visitors can return at different times of day to observe how the shadows move across the plaza.
The design departs from standard vertical transmission towers, instead showing a tilted form resembling human movement and gesture. This unconventional interpretation of a broadcasting structure made it immediately recognizable during the Olympic Games.
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