Montserrat

Cal Mestre offers a beautiful view of Montserrat to the north.

These irregularly shaped mountains are a religious center and a symbol of Catalan identity.

The Montserrat mountain is 10 kilometers long and 5 kilometers wide. It has a circumference of almost 25 kilometers. The mountain appears taller than it actually is because it rises directly from the Llobregat River. There are no other mountains in the surrounding area, which makes Montserrat stand out in the landscape.

Montserrat, a craggy mountain

From a distance, Montserrat ("jagged mountain") looks like fingers reaching for the sky.

Legend says that the mountains were formed by angels. People also thought that the mountains were giants, or petrified Saracens, who wanted to escape the Christian reconquest.

As early as the 9th century, Christian hermits came here to retreat and pray. The first hermitage was built in the 11th century.

Montserrat Monastery

The Montserrat Monastery had a profound influence on Catalan identity. From the 15th to the 18th centuries, the mountain was one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Europe.

Upon reaching the summit of the Sacred Mountain, all your sins are forgiven by the Black Madonna of Montserrat.

The enthronement of the Black Madonna was celebrated in 1947. Since then, the number of pilgrims has steadily increased.

Today, it is once again one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the world.

Discovering Montserrat on foot

The best way to discover Montserrat is on foot. You can climb the mountain like a true sinner, or take the cable car to the upper station, Sant Joan.

This is the starting point for a beautiful hike with views across almost all of Catalonia.

On clear days, you can even see Canigou, one of the highest mountains in the Pyrenees. The whimsical rock formations with fairy-tale names are also beautiful.

Among the rocks, you can see the caves where hermits once lived.

The Basilica of Montserrat is almost at the summit and nestled into the mountainside. The most famous attraction inside the church is the statue of the Black Madonna.

Black Madonna of Montserrat

Whether you are religious or not, a visit to the Black Madonna is a special experience. You join a group of people (mostly pilgrims) at the main entrance. The atmosphere seems charged with electricity.

The Black Madonna holds a sphere in one hand, symbolizing the universe. It is tradition to kiss or touch the Virgin's hand while extending the other hand to Jesus.

The Virgin is not black because she comes from Africa. The wooden statue dates back to the early days of Christianity and was made in Jerusalem. Historical accounts show that it has simply darkened over time.

Just to the left of the basilica is the Monastery of Montserrat. About one hundred monks live there. They follow the Order of Saint Benedict and dedicate themselves to prayer and work.

The monks have their own philosophy: everything that makes an individual unique is divine.

Nature of Montserrat

Montserrat is interesting even if you don't come for the monastery. The mountain has several microclimates, ranging from dry to very humid.

This makes the natural park a biodiversity hotspot. More than 1,250 plant species live there, attracting many birds, bats, and butterflies. Montserrat also boasts one of the most beautiful oak forests in Catalonia.

Next to the Sant Joan cable car station, there is a small nature center with information.