It's true that Barcelona is magical, and the sheer number of things to do here is so impressive that it makes you wonder if you're in the right place. it's worth going to Montserrat.
The answer is yes!
Leaving Barcelona to discover Montserrat is an extraordinary journey. Just a few kilometers from the city, you're already in the countryside, in another universe, and ready to meet the Black Virgin...
However, I must warn you that the journey is rather long (a little over two hours) and a little costly for those on a tight budget. it's worth the effort.
A little history...
Montserrat is an extraordinary place of great importance in Catalan culture.
Montserrat is even a relatively common first name in the region, along with the diminutive Monse or Serrat.
Montserrat is the name given to this incredible mountain in the shape saw-tooth patternThat's why it's called "serrat", which literally means "sawtooth".
Montserrat: a mountain, an abbey and surrounding villages...
Montserrat is the general name for the mountain itself, but also for Montserrat Abbey, located in the heart of the mountain.
Around Montserrat, there are also a number of charming little villages where you can hike in the heart of the mountains...
Collbató, El Bruc, Marganell and Monistrol de Montserrat...
How to get to the Monastery
The easiest way to get to Montserrat is from plaça de Espanya (L3-L5 in metro). You have to take the FGC, the Catalan train company. The R5, i.e. Barcelona-Manresa. The Catalonian Ferrocarrils company is independent of the TMB, so you have to buy your tickets from a different machine.
From there, and from 8:30 am, trains take you to the small villages around the mountain.
On foot...
For the more athletic and courageous, it's possible to climb the mountain on foot.
From Barcelona, drive to Monistrol or Collbató. The road is splendid, and as you can imagine, it's uphill!
Since the Middle Ages, pilgrims have been accustomed to walking to Montserrat.
You won't regret it, it's splendid!
And you avoid the most expensive form of transport: the cable car or the cog railway.
Aeri de Montserrat" cable car...
Built in the 1930s, the aerial tramway is the means of the most spectacular form of transport as it crosses more than 1,350 metres in less than five minutes.
Not recommended for travellers afraid of heights!
The price is 7.50 euros one way for the basic adult ticket.
Bear in mind that the cable car can only hold twenty people at a time.
During the high season, you may have to wait a while before boarding the cable car.
By cogwheel train...
Get off at Monisterol Vila and take the cogwheel train up the hillside.
The Montserrat train station is less than 15 minutes away, and the Abbey is less than a 5-minute walk away.
A single adult ticket costs 6.60 euros.
Cable car or cog railway? Which to choose?
Both means of transport have their advantages.
The cable car is spectacular, but the train is more comfortable and you won't have to wait as long in high season.
You can also combine them, even if the individual ticket is more expensive than a round trip.
In the car...
The road is superb, being on a mountainside, but of course it's uphill and twisty!
Near the Abbey, you can park in the parking lot, where prices are around 5 euros.
You can park further down the road to avoid paying the parking fee, but your legs will have to do some of the walking.
Transportation costs
Getting to Montserrat by public transport is quite expensive if you combine the journey from Barcelona with the funicular or train.
At Plaça de Espanya, there are packages that combine transport and entrance to the Abbey. If you'd also like to visit the Abbey, the package is well worth it. In particular "Tot Montserrat".
Montserrat Abbey and the Black Madonna
Patroness of the Catalogue, the "moreneta is a strong symbol of the region.
A 12th-century Roman polychrome statue of the Virgin Mary is available free of charge.
You'll have to follow a stream of people from the outer cloister into the Basilica.
Paying cultural venues around the Basilica:
The library has a collection of over 300,000 volumes covering theology, philosophy, history and art history...
Audiovisual space is for you if you want to know all the secrets of the history and architecture of this fabulous place.
Montserrat MuseumSix collections of artworks ranging from Egyptian sarcophagi to modern European painting.
What to see around the Abbey
Several tours take you to holy places:
- the Sanctuary,
- Via Crucis - Sant Miquel - Fra Garí ;
- Santa Cova (Holy Grotto);
- The Montserrat Gate - Els Degotalls.
A magnificent walk takes you to the heights...
Wonderful walks start from the Abbey. In particular, the walk that takes you to the heights of the peak, to the Sant Joan monastery.
Tip: visit the surrounding villages and Sainte-Cécile
Other fabulous places to visit around the Abbey include the little church of Sainte-Cécile and its incredible view.
In the small villages, you can taste typical Catalan food and also small regional wines.
Photo credit: Claire Ducène
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