Monastery at Montserrat

Last Updated on Tuesday, 15 March 2011 21:07 Saturday, 12 February 2011 19:23

If you are visiting Barcelona and are looking for a day trip outside the city, we recommend heading up to the monastery and Benedictine abbey of Santa Maria on the Montserrat Mountain. It is only 45 kilometers northwest of Barcelona and definitely worth the trip.  You can either go by car and drive up the winding mountain road or take an hour and a half train ride from Barcelona.  The views of this majestic rocky mountain, the Abbey and the Catalonia landscape below are quite spectacular. If you would like your own private tour and guide, check out our Spain Customized Tours.  

Here are two videos on Montserrat, Journey to Montserrat and the Montserrat Monastery.

Once at the monastery there is a funicular that takes you up another 300 meters up to the peaks of Montserrat.  There are also well-marked hiking trails through the park that go from the funicular station to the deserted hermitages.  To manage the hike you should be in fair shape and wear good hiking boots but the incredible views of the Catalonia countryside are well worth it.

The history of this site goes back to before the time of Christ.  The Romans built a temple here to worship Venus.  The first monastery was constructed in 880 AD and later the hermitage of Santa Maria was founded in 1025.

The Virgin of Montserrat, Catalonia’s patron saint is found at the Basilica next to the monastery. The Virgin is known as “La Moreneta” and she is one of Europe’s “Black Madonnas”.  Her dark color is due to changes in the varnish over the centuries.  Thousands of Christian pilgrims journey to Montserrat to venerate her.  She is a Romanesque statue carved in wood from the 12th century and is located at the rear of the chapel surrounded by a golden altar.  The Madonna earned widespread fame over time as many miracles were attributed to the Black Virgin of Montserrat.

One of the most appreciated attractions at the Monastery is the Escolania, Montserrat's Boys' Choir.  It is one of the most renowned and oldest boys' choirs in Europe.  Dating back to the 13th century, it performs daily during religious ceremonies in the Basilica. Here are two videos you might enjoy,  the life of the choir boys and the boys singing Veni Domine.

The Monastery of Montserrat has played a very important role in the cultural life of Catalonia over the years. About 80 monks live at Montserrat and they welcome visitors to participate in their daily celebrations of Mass.

The facilities at Montserrat have been extended and modernized over the last few years and are now available for meetings, conventions and conferences.  Given the unique settings, business meetings can easily be combined with cultural and nature activities.

If you are interested in visiting the site, join us on a Tour of Montserrat