Montserrat, Spain
Montserrat is situated in a rugged mountain not far from Barcelona is home to one of the most popular pilgrimage destinations in Spain: The Shrine of Our Lady of Montserrat.
Santa Maria de Montserrat Abbey enshrines the famous statue of the Virgin of Montserrat. The statue rests above the alter, where people form long queues along the side to pay homage to the Virgin. The basilica is dark and solemn. and features some wonderful Gothic architecture, which is darkly lit by hanging lamps.
Above the monastery the Montserrat funicular provides a short 7-minute ride, up to 1,000m above sea level. This is the steepest funicular in Spain. You’ll see stunning views of the monastery, the Pyrenees mountains, and the picturesque countryside below. This is also a good launching point for a number of the hikes.
The mountains are a granite and are a hikers and rock climbers paradise. The numerous hiking paths and sky-high mountains offer breathtaking views. The lofty, bulbous formations make you gaze and wonder at such amazing beauty.
Getting there
The easiest way to reach Montserrat is by Train. The train stops below the mountain and there is a cable car up to the monastery. The R5 train departs from Plaza Espana in Barcelona every half hour and takes approximately 2 hours.
Alternatively you can also drive up to the Monastery. The drive takes approximately 1 hour. However you will need to arrive early as finding a parking space can be difficult.