Day Trip to Montserrat (Sep 16, 2025)

Most of today was spent at the Montserrat Monastery, officially the Santa Maria de Montserrat Abbey.  This is a monastery founded in 1025--rebuilt between the 19th and 20th centuries--which still is in use today.  It's about 62 km (38.5 mi) NW of Barcelona and it takes a bit over an hour to get there.  We had booked a guided tour online before the trip and left town this morning at 8 am.  

First stop--since nothing else was open--McDonald's for coffee.

Been to a lot of European McDonald's.  They seem to put more effort into their appearance.

We had a group of eight and our guide was a native of Barcelona, a Catalan named Jordi.  He really highlighted what the mountain, the abbey, and the church meant to Catalan identity.

It is possible to do the trip yourself from Barcelona with a combination of trains, funiculars, and even a cable car, but that would take a good bit longer.  Whichever way you choose, be sure to get there early since the place really gets crowded later on with coach buses and cars (we were in a minivan).  

Our first view of the mountain

A view of the school (right), the basilica (center), and the funicular station (left)

Viewpoint

There's not much of the 10th-century construction left.  Much of it was destroyed by Napoleon in 1811 during the Pensinsular War with more damage done during the Spanish Civil War, but between 1942 and 1968 a new facade was constructed for the church.

Church facade

Closeup of Jesus and the apostles

Atrium in front of the church.  The center is said to be a spiritual focal point.

Church organ inside the basilica

Church Altar

Closeup of the Black Madonna of Montserrat (La Moreneta).  This is what people come here to see, and it's another symbol of Catalan cultural identity.

Votive candles and mosaic of the Virgin Mary

Fe in the plaza

Fe and I at an overlook

Next we took a funicular to the top of the mountain where there were a few hiking trails.  We didn't do much of that but it was an interesting stop.  Since we were here early and it had rained overnight there was a lot of fog so the views weren't as good as they could be.

Hermitage of Sant Joan (St John), one of three in this part of the mountain.  It's abandoned now.

The fog adds a dramatic touch.

Fe along the trail.

View from the funicular on the way down.

Fe and I

Statue of the Abbot of  Oliba, an important figure in the founding of the monastery.

We spent a bit over three-and-a-half hours up here and there were still things we missed, but our tour was over and it was time to head back.  Most everyone--myself included--slept some on the way down.  Good thing the driver didn't.  

That's all for today.  Tomorrow is our last full day here, so I see us exploring some more new places around town.