Close to Barcelona lies a magical mountain where you can find a Benedictine church: the Montserrat Monastery.
It is a place where spirituality, art, and nature coexist.
If you are visiting the capital city of Catalonia and want to explore other dimensions, definitely the Montserrat Monastery is worth a visit.
You will find the Moreneta, a splendid basilica with a significant history and fascinating views.
Are you ready for an excursion from the city to immerse in the mountain and monastery?
Let’s explore together!
Why is the Montserrat Monastery so popular?
Arriving at the site, one of the first things you will notice is the merge of architecture with nature.
The abbey buildings seem to come out of the mountain’s rocks!
Yet the true reason for the popularity of the place is the Moreneta image, patroness of Catalonia.
Though the origins of the monastery are uncertain, it is believed that in the IX century, four chapels were built.
Later, in the X century, a monk traveled to one of the chapels to care for it.
Abbot Oliba, overseeing the monk, ordered the construction of the Monastery of Saint Mary of Montserrat in 1025.
A Romanesque church was constructed, and there, the carved image of the Mother of God was placed.
By that time, between the XII and the XIII centuries, more and more pilgrims started to visit the monastery, soon converted into a sanctuary.
The resistance of the Montserrat Monastery
The Montserrat Monastery started to grow, and, in the XV century, a choir of boys was held, as well as a printing press.
But not everything was joyful in the history of this site.
In the XIX century, Napoleonic troops looted and destroyed twice the buildings.
Moreover, in the Spanish Civil War (1936 – 1939), the monks had to leave the monastery.
Due to these turbulent times, the abbey buildings were modified and rebuilt.
Now, you can appreciate Gothic and Renaissance styles.
In 1881, the church was proclaimed as a basilica, and the Mother of God of Montserrat was venerated as the patroness of Catalonia.
Visiting this spectacular site is breathtaking, as the carved image is very special, and the mountain, is a magical place.
It will be a pleasure to accompany you on a tour to discover all the mysticism that is in the place.
Things you cannot miss in your visit to Montserrat Monastery
Wake up early, savor a splendid coffee in Barcelona, and then go on a day trip to visit Montserrat.
It is one of the best ways to enjoy your stay.
Discover every corner of the abbey and monastery to soak up the magnificence of the place.
Here is what you cannot miss!
The Black Madonna [H3]
Each year, about 250,000 people travel to the Monastery of Montserrat.
Some of them, being pilgrims, venerate the Moreneta.
It is the Catalan name for the carved image of the Black Madonna that sits in the monastery.
It was found in the Santa Cova (the Holy Cave).
The legend says that a group of shepherds found her in the IX century.
Aware of her presence, an abbot came to take her to the church of Manresa, but she mystically resisted.
It was the holy purpose of the Moreneta to stay in Montserrat.
Don’t you think that visiting her and the monastery should be a unique experience?
The figure of this Virgin Mary with the Infant Jesus receives the name of Black Madonna because of her skin.
It is said that this is due to the exposure to candle soot for centuries.
A well-known choir
Montserrat Mountain is unique for many reasons.
One of them is the boys’ choir, Escolania.
Nowadays, it is one of the most famous choirs around the globe, as well as one of the oldest in Europe.
Its existence dates back to the XIV century and continues its activities today.
The boys in the choir attend school in the monastery.
They receive high-quality general and musical education.
Only children from 9 to 14 years old are eligible to sing the Gregorian chanting style choir of the Escolania.
They sing two times a day, and the performance is open to all visitors.
The basilica
The basilica of the Montserrat Monastery exemplifies Gothic and Renaissance architecture.
In this space, masses are celebrated, many of them accompanied by the boys’ choir.
They are also open to visitors.
Inside this basilica rests the Black Madonna.
A peculiar sight is the many hanging candles around the church’s edges.
Civilians and associations donate them to represent the people of Catalonia at the feet of the Moreneta.
The museums
Many visitors view Montserrat Monastery as a spiritual destination, unaware of its art and history museums.
Yes, in plural!
The Montserrat Museum contains an extensive collection of artworks.
They date from the XIII century to nowadays.
In the museum, you will find works from Dalí, Picasso, Miró, or El Greco.
The second museum is the Espai Audiovisual (audiovisual space).
Visit it in case you want to know about the daily life in the monastery or its printing press.
Enjoy the Montserrat Monastery and its surroundings
Montserrat Monastery hides magic, mysticism, art, and spiritualism.
On a day trip or a longer stay exploring the rich historical and cultural treasures in the abbey, we can help you there!
However, if you have some spare time, discovering the surroundings should be an undisputed activity.
Montserrat mountain offers several walking trails of diverse difficulty.
Take a walk to see the breathtaking landscapes and panoramic views!
Then, prepare for your return to the city and have a delicious healthy meal, having enjoyed to the maximum the Monastery of Montserrat.
