Montserrat is a mountain range near Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. It is famous for its monastery , Santa Maria de Montserrat, which is located on the mountain of Montserrat. The monastery has been a place of pilgrimage for centuries and a popular tourist destination.
The Montserrat monastery was founded in 1025 by Abbot Oliba. The black madonna , or Our Lady of Montserrat, is a statue of the Virgin Mary that is venerated in the monastery. The statue is said to have been carved by St. Luke and brought to Spain by St. Peter.
The Montserrat monastery is open to the public. Visitors can walk around the monastery grounds and visit the church and museum . There is also a shop and café on the premises.
The Santa Funicular railway runs from the bottom of the mountain to the monastery. The train takes about 10 minutes to make the trip and includes a stop at the Montserrat Museum.
There are several hiking trails in the Montserrat mountain range. The most popular hike is the Via Crucis, or Way of the Cross, which follows the path that Jesus took on his way to Calvary. The hike takes about 2 hours to complete.
There are also several tours available that include a visit to the Montserrat monastery. Tours can be booked through the tourist office in Barcelona or online.
The Montserrat mountain range is a beautiful place to visit and the monastery is a must-see for anyone travel ing to Barcelona.
This article is a part of the guide : What to visit in Barcelona? that you should discover !
