The magical mountains of Montserrat, the heart of Catalonia!
The Montserrat mountains are the only massif in the world of such size and shape. Monastery of Santa Maria Montserrat is a Benedictine monastery nestled among the rocks. The mountain was officially recognized as a Nature Reserve in 1987 to ensure its conservation. The geological origin of the Montserrat massif is sedimentary, and its rocks are created by the accumulation of pebbles in lime cement. This symbol of Catalonia has become a place of pilgrimage for believers and a must-visit point for tourists.
According to legend, in 880 shepherds saw a very strong light, accompanied by a soft melody, descend from the sky. The next Saturday the vision was repeated, and so for four weeks. The news reached the Bishop of Manresa, who organized the campaign. When they opened the cave, they saw the icon of the Virgin inside. The bishop offered to move her to Manresa, but as the legend says, her weight prevented this. Everyone perceived this phenomenon as the desire of the Virgin to stay in this place and decided to build a chapel there, which turned into a center of pilgrimage.
The Holy Virgin at Montserrat is a 12th-century Romanesque sculpture made of black poplar. She is a Virgin with a child on her lap and is 95 cm high. In her right hand she holds a sphere which symbolizes the universe; the child's right hand is raised as a sign of blessing. Except
Piazza Santa Maria is the main square that leads to the monastery. From the square you can see the new facade of the monastery, built by Francesc Folgera in the mountain gorge. On the left side, the remains of the former Gothic cloister are visible. The area is a well-groomed area with mountain paths, sculptures, various walking routes, it is a kind of "open-air museum". The huge Rosary of the Monastery stands out in particular. You can enjoy the time spent in the mountains of Montserrat, visit the monastery, the basilica, the museum, the covered gallery, the statue of the Virgin, and take the funicular to the top, see the fabulous panorama. In addition, there are several shops and restaurants at your disposal.
