A mountain, a monastery and a Madonna

Montserrat is a mountain range 60 Km northwest of Barcelona. It’s also a very special place for the Catalan people. It’s a symbol of the Catalan culture, never more important than during the Franco dictatorship. This was a time when the Catalan language and culture were being repressed.

During the funicular ride up the mountain, you will see the celebrated rock formations of Montserrat. The rocks have very peculiar forms, which have given them a magical feel for many centuries. The most famous is 'Cavall Bernat' (Cavall = Horse) which can be recognized by it’s towering shape (masculine member). Many people come to Monserrat to see the venerated Black Virgin and a host of artistic and scenic attractions. Leave time during your visit to hear the famous 50-member boys' choir. This is the oldest boys’ choir in Europe. Monks teach the boys ('Escolanets de Montserrat'). In Montserrat you can also find a wonderful Museum. The museum houses objects from ancient civilizations (Egypt, Cyprus and the Holy Land), liturgical objects (Berruguete, El Greco, Caravaggio, etc) and a great collection of modern art (Picasso, Dali, Casa, Nonell, etc). This is a fabulous place to visit.

Quick Tips:

An idea is to spend the night at the campsite located near the cable cars, and this will give you a great start in the morning to explore Montserrat before it gets crowded

Best Way To Get Around:

To get to Montserrat, leave Barcelona by way of the Paseo Diagonal. There are several buses that come from Barcelona. There are also tours available out of Barcelona, which is an hour and half away. The drive up the long, winding, mountain road to the top is sometimes slow due to it being crowded. Parking is sometimes hard to find. It is best to come very early or late in the day, leaving you with exactly the right amount of time to see all before Montserrat closes for the day.

The woods and mountainside of Montserrat make for excellent walking and hiking. The woods are very rustic and a real find. There are trails to the many caves and hermitages. The cable car can take you the summit to visit the hermitages of Sant Jeronimo and Sant Joan. This are is usually very peaceful.

The Paradors of Spain are truly special and a wonderful change. The Tourist Paradors (Paradores de Turismo) are mostly located in tastefully restored historic-artistic buildings (castles even!), rich in architecture and art, or in settings of great natural beauty & landscapes. There are more than eighty Paradors scattered across Spain. They make a great place where a traveler is given the chance to get to known a region a little bit better. The restaurants in the parador offer you the chance of sampling the regional cuisine. There are two close to Montserrat, Parador de Cardona and Parador de Vic.

The main reasons Montserrat is a Pilgrimage center is the 'Moreneta' (our Lady of Montserrat). Since the 12th century the 'Black Virgin' has been venerated at this magical place.

'La Moreneta' is a black Madonna with Child. Legend states that the miraculous image was known as 'La Jerosolimitana,' which means native of Jerusalem. It was reportedly carved in the city near the time of St. Peter. A popular legend has the statue being found in a cave close to 889A.D. It was supposedly lost after being hidden during the Moorish invasion. In 1881, she was crowned and declared the patron Saint of Catalonia. This helps make Montserrat (Montse) a very popular female name in traditional Catalonia. Many churches throughout the world were dedicated to her and the caribbean island, Montserrat, also bears her name.

In Montserrat you can find the Sanctuary of our Lady and the Benedictine monastery. This monastery has served pilgrims and visitors for close to 1,000 years. The monastery is home to 80 monks that follow the 6th century Benedictine Rule. There, life is a dedication to prayer and the daily receiving of pilgrims. The present day monastery is a place of prayer, dialogue, teachings and a place to gather with other pilgrims. Marian shrines and places of pilgrimage are found throughout the world with Monserrat being one of them.

Only the basilica is open to the public. This where 'La Moreneta' is located above the high altar.

In Montserrat you can also find a wonderful museum. The museum is located near the entrance to the Basilica. The museum houses objects from ancient civilizations (Egypt, Cyprus and the Holy Land), liturgical objects (Berruguete, El Greco, Caravaggio, etc.) and a great collection of modern art (Picasso, Dali, Casa, Nonell, etc). The museum has two parts: the Old and New sections. This is a fabulous place to visit.

The region of Catalonia has sights, vineyards, museums, churches, music and food for every taste. The region begins in Ampurias, in the Costa Brava. This is where it is believed the Roman people first arrived on the Iberian Peninsula. The Romans built cities and monuments. Several still survive such as Tarragona and its surroundings.

Two of Catalonia’s monasteries are Monserrat and Poblet. The towns of Montblanc, Besalu and Gerona are certainly worth a visit. Be sure to get out and explore the countryside. The flowers and trees in the region are a wonder. The city of Ebro and its delta are a great place to explore. Worthy of a stop is Penedes area with its vineyards. This region produces a large quantity of Spain’s sparkling wine. The views and surrounding landscapes of the mountain town of Pirineo are exceptional.

The Catalan cooking has sweet and sour dishes, fish dishes, snails and classic sauces, like the 'romesco', with pepper, almonds, bread, garlic, and chillies. A sampling of the desserts of the region is a must.

This lovely town perched on the Mediterranean is cosmopolitan and elegant. The city was built on the harbor and its commerce throughout history. The city is laid out on a very well thought out plan which makes it easy to explore such areas as the Gothic Quarter, Las Ramblas and the Paseo De Garcia. Many parts of the city were given a facelift in preparation for the 1992 Summer Olympics. The best way to explore Barcelona is to get out and walk the many areas.

Another great thing about Barcelona is its proximity to many vacation retreats or day-trip visits. One of my favorites is the Costa Brava, which lies to the north of Barcelona. South of Barcelona you will find the Roman city of Tarragona and the Costa Dorada with its many resorts cities. Monserrat is also south of the city. The Balearic Islands lie to the east and the Penedis wine country to the west.