Monestir de Montserrat
Visit Monestir de Montserrat
Monestir de Montserrat and the funiculars of Sant Joan and Santa Cova
The Monastery of Montserrat is Catalonia's holiest place. Aswell as the monestary there are chapels and hermits caves and all is located in a fabulous location in the mountains above Barcelona and easily accisible from the city. Aswell as the monastery there are two funiculars allowing a further climb into the mountains and a descent to the Santa Cova where legend has it the Virgin of Montserrat was found.
Monestir de Montserrat
The monastery of Montserrat has been the home to a community of Benedictine monks since 1025. The Monestary has been a pilgrim site since ancient times and is one of the most famous in the Catholic world. It is possible to hear the Escolania singing at 1pm and 19.10pm every day except July and during the Christmas period. The Escalonia is a famous choir of 50 boy choristers.
Inside the monastery the Basilica has paintings by Catalan artists and an enamelled alter. The Black Virgin looks down from behind the alter and is protected by glass though her wooden orb protrudes so that pilgrims can touch her. The virgin of Montserrat, La Moreneta is a small wooden statue said to have been made by Saint Luke and brought to Montserrat by Saint Peter.
Other sites at Montserrat
Also at Montserrat are shops, cafes, a hotel, a museum and various chapels. It is possible to walk 'The Way of the Cross' with 14 statues marking the stations of the cross.
Funicular de Sant Joan
Take the Funicular de Sant Joan from Montserrat and climb to an altitude of 1000m. From here there is a fabulous view of Montserrat and its mountainous setting. At the top there is a Nature Centre giving details of the mountain's history, climate, flora and fauna and details of the walks you can do from here.
Funicular de la Santa Cova
According to legend the image of the Virgin of Montserrat wa found here. Since 1929 pilgrims have taken the funicular down to this cave. On the way to Santa Cova you can see the Rosari Monumental, a series of sculptures including work by Antoni Gaudi and Josep Llimona.
How to get to Montserrat
Another beauty of Montserrat is its ease of acces from Barcelona. Catch the train at the FGC Pl. Espanya Station. Trains leave 7 days a week, every hour from around 8.30am. Take the train to Montserrat on the Montserrat-Manresa line where you get the Cable Car up the mountain.
Montserrat is very close to Barcelona. Make sure you visit :
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Map showing position of Monestir de Montserrat
Map of Monestir de Montserrat
Barcelona (40km), Daroca (64km), Eixample, Barcelona (40km), Montjuic, Barcelona (40km), Sitges (36km) and Tarragona (76km).