BARCELONA MEDIEVAL: MONTSERRAT

Yesterday, a lovely sunday, we spent a fantastic day in the Montserrat Abbey and Sanctuary, one of the most important monasteries in Catalunya, walking along the paths of the spectacular mountains of Montserrat.

Located 60 km away from Barcelona, this monastery is one of the most important symbols of the Catalan Culture as well as a bastion of resistance against the dictatorship. This mountain is actually a perfect place for hiking and climbing. Next, I would like to show you some pictures of the Montserrat Abbey and the walk along this singular mountain to the highest summit of Montserrat: San Jerónimo.

At the end of this post you will find some useful information about how to arrive.

Montserrat Abbey and Sanctuary

The apse of the Montserrat Abbey church with Montserrat Mountain behind the sanctuary

Overview of Montserrat Abbey in Barcelona

Montserrat Abbey coat of arms over the main entrance to the building

Main facade of the Montserrat Abbey

Gothic cloister of Montserrat Abbey with Montserrat mountains behind it

Soon after we began our walk to San Jerónimo, we enjoyed this view of Montserrat Abbey

Montserrat Mountain

Montserrat Mountains hide curious shapes like this one on the left: an elephant

The day was lovely and the environment really nice

San Jerónimo

We went upstairs many times before reaching the Montserrat Top: San Jerónimo

The last stairs we have to climb before enjoying the views from the top

San Jerónimo, the highest point of Montserrat. The views are truly fantastic

San Jerónimo (San Jeroni) is 1236 meters high and next to the top there is this nice Nativity Scene

Overview of the stairs we had to climb to reach Sant Jeroni



View from Sant Jeroni, the highest place in Montserrat

Montserrat Monastery Church

When we arrived at Montserrat Abbey after reaching San Jeroni, we entered the church to make a wish to to see "La Moreneta". Before making my wish, I saw this beautiful stained glass window of the church

"La Moreneta", as it's known The Virgin of Montserrat, the patron saint of Catalonia, is worshipped at the shrine in the monastery

Overview of the Montserrat Abbey church

View from Montserrat

Finally, a great view from the Montserrat Abbey in Barcelona

Useful Information:

- How to get there:

• Train FGC from Pl. Espanya, stop Monistrol de Montserrat + Cremallera.
• Train FGC, from Pl. Espanya, stop Aeri de Montserrat + Aeri.
• Bus Julià from Estació de Sants.

- Web site: www.abadiamontserrat.net

If you like monasteries, next you have links to the most interesting monasteries I have visited in Catalonia:

• Pedralbes Monastery
• Poblet Monastery
• Sant Joan de les Abadesses Monastery
• Santa Maria de Ripoll Monastery
• Sant Pere de Rodes Monastery
• Santes Creus Monastery
• Sant Miquel del Fai
• Sant Cugat Monastery

Other fantastic religious buildings you can visit in Barcelona and Catalonia are:

• Sagrada Familia designed by Antoni Gaudí
• Crypt of the church of La Colònia Güell

• Cathedral of Barcelona
• Cathedral of Girona
• Cathedral of Tarragona

• Santa Maria del Mar church in Barcelona
• Santa Maria del Pi church in Barcelona
• Santa Agata chapel in Barcelona
• Santa Anna church in Barcelona
• Sant Just i Pastor church in Barcelona
• Sant Pere de les Puelles church in Barcelona

• Catedral de l'Émpordà in Castelló d'Empúries

Besides, there are more beautiful towns and places to visit near the city of Barcelona, such as:

• Castelldefels
• Sitges
• Sant Miquel del Fai
• Sant Pol de Mar
• Circuit de Catalunya in Montmeló

Finally, clicking on the next link, you will find more links to other beautiful places and villages in Catalonia.