Montserrat
ATTRACTION Keywords:
Holy Place,
Religious Experience,
Walking/Hiking,
Monastery,
Mountain
Located about 30 miles (50 km) northwest of Barcelona is Montserrat - the 'Serrated Mountain'. The mountain gets its name from the rock formations which look like they've been sawed and sculpted, the result of thousands of years of wind and rain.
This unique rock formation is home to a Benedictine monastery and is a famous pilgrimage spot as it is home to the 12th century wooden statue of La Moreneta (The Black Virgin), Catalonia's patron. The Monestir de Montserrat is a source of Catalan pride as well. During the regime of Franco, the monastery continued to hold Catholic ceremonies in the Catalan language and became a stronghold of Catalan culture despite the oppression from the government.
Besides the religious and cultural importance of Montserrat, the mountain also boasts unbeatable views from it's peaks. A cog wheel train takes visitors to a lookout point where all of Catalonia and the Pyrenees can be seen. On the clearest days, you may even catch a glimpse of the island of Mallorca to the southeast.
Latest Reviews
Review by Marie, May 2013
Doing what: Montserrat and Cava Trail Small Group Day Trip from Barcelona
Fantastic tour of Montserrat and Cava Cordiniou vineyards! Julia our tour guide was a delight! She was very knowledgeable and made the trip wonderful! Really beautiful!
Review by Laura V, May 2013
Doing what: Montserrat Royal Basilica Half-Day Trip from Barcelona
Our tour guide Mark was very knowledgeble and spoke good English. He explained everything thoroughly and the trip/tour was a delight. We loved everything about it. We got tons of awesome pics (don't know how to send them to you though) and great souveniors. We were able to hear the boys choir sing and what a treat that was. The amount of visitors that are allowed into the church for the choir's performance of two songs was overwhelming. We were like sardines in a can. You must get into the church by about 12:15 for a 1:00 performance or you will be standing and/or squished against alot of other people. It was a wonderful visit to a special place and our guide made it a super trip. Thank you
Review by Simon B, May 2013
Doing what: Montserrat and Cava Trail Small Group Day Trip from Barcelona
First class company and guide
Practical Info
Getting to Montserrat is a 1-hour train or 90-minute car ride. For those looking to get the most out of your visit, it's recommended to sign up for an organized tour. A guide will provide historical commentary while leading the group through the monastery and will head the climb up the mountain to enjoy the views. Various walking paths are also marked for you to take and explore the mountain at your own pace.
