Montserrat Monastery
Montserrat Monastery is one of the most unique places in Catalonia. Located 60 kilometers from Barcelona, its history surrounding the Virgin of the Moreneta attracts more than 2.5 million tourists each year. Check the top things to do at Montserrat and plan your visit.
Montserrat morning tour with cog-wheel train and priority access to the Black Madonna
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Montserrat is a mountain massif whose name is inspired by the particular shape of its mountains: “Mont” means “mountain” and “Serrat” means “saw” in Catalan. Its monastery has nearly 1,000 years of history, and its basilica has become a pilgrimage site.
A unique combination of architecture, nature, and landscaping makes visiting this destination a must-do excursion for those seeking the best places to visit in Barcelona.
Whether you take a morning guided tour to Montserrat from Barcelona or prefer to use public transportation, set aside a day in your itinerary. Discover below the history, how to get there, and what to do in Montserrat.
Origins and History of Montserrat
This incredible rock formation is famous for its many irregular peaks, which were formed millions of years ago by the action of rain and wind on limestone, producing the impressive system of curves and peaks that is Montserrat today.
Its recent history began in the year 880, with the discovery of the image of the Virgin of Montserrat, commonly called the Moreneta due to the dark color of her skin.
Legend has it that a series of visions in which a great light descended from the sky, accompanied by a delicate melody, caught the attention of a group of children and their parents, the Rector of Olesa, and even the Bishop of Vic, possibly Gotmar.
Later, they visited a cave where they found the image, and since they could not move it due to its weight, the Bishop ordered the construction of the hermitage of Santa María for its veneration.
This led to the founding of the Monastery of Santa María de Montserrat in 1025 by Abbot Oliba, and the construction of the Basilica of Montserrat, in Gothic and Romanesque styles, in the 16th century.
What to Do in Montserrat
The option of spending a day in Montserrat is always the first choice if it comes down to listing the top day trips from Barcelona. Get to know below everything you can see!
Basilica of Santa María de Montserrat
Reconstructed at the end of the 19th century after the war in Spain, the Basilica of Santa María de Montserrat is one of the main tourist attractions of the monastery.
As soon as you enter, you can observe its great dome at 23 meters high, and then detail its hanging lamps, the sculptures of some prophets, and the imposing presence of the Moreneta over the altar area, inside a shrine, where she can be seen up close.
Viewpoints in Montserrat and Funicular de Sant Joan
One of the most famous viewpoints in Montserrat is the Mirador dels Apòstols, which offers excellent views of the monastery, the mountains, and the valley of the Llobregat River.
Another option that will leave you in awe is to take the funicular of Sant Joan to reach the top of the mountain, at 1,000 meters high. There, you can see the Catalan Pyrenees, the Mediterranean Sea, and the entire flat area of central Catalonia from where Montserrat rises.
Trails in Montserrat and the Santa Cova
The Santa Cova, one of the most revered attractions in Montserrat, Barcelona, is believed to be where the Moreneta was found in the year 880.
There is a chapel of the Santa Cova, built between 1696 and 1705, which can be visited after a quick ride on the funicular of the same name or by walking along the Camí de la Santa Cova, a trail that does not require great physical fitness.
How to Get to Montserrat from Barcelona
Public transportation is a great option to reach Montserrat from Barcelona. In this case, we recommend going to the Barcelona-Plaça Espanya station and taking a train on the R5 line of FCG, heading towards Manresa. After a little over an hour of travel, you can choose one of these options to ascend:
By cable car: Get off at the Aeri de Montserrat station, and you will find some picturesque yellow cabins that will take you on a five-minute mountain ride, with dreamlike landscapes.
By cogwheel train: Continue to the Monistrol de Montserrat station (just after the previous one), where you can board these small cogwheel trains with large panoramic windows that travel along the mountain’s peculiar silhouette.
On foot: Hiking in Montserrat is possible. If you like adventure, go to the Monistrol de Montserrat station, cross the Llobregat River, and continue to the Plaza de la Font Gran. From there, you can start the 4.19-kilometer route that will take you to the monastery.
You can also explore Montserrat taking this tour from Barcelona including air-conditioned bus transportation and a English-speaking guide who will tell you many more curiosities and anecdotes about the Montserrat massif.
If the idea of spending a day in Montserrat fascinates you, you can book this and other tours in Barcelona. Discover everything the Catalan capital has to offer!
Montserrat morning tour with cog-wheel train and priority access to the Black Madonna
Day trip to Girona and Figueres with Dalí Museum
Girona Game of Thrones tour