Montserrat is a mountain that will take about one hour traveling by car or by train from Barcelona city center. The cable car gives you a better view, but the Cremallera train is a more comfortable ride. We drove to the bottom of the mountain and parked at the Cremallera Funicular (2nd stop of the train). You can drive to the Monastery, but parking will be a challenge on a weekend or a holiday.
It is well known as the site of the Benedictine abbey, Santa Maria de Montserrat, which hosts the wooden Black Virgin of Montserrat. The view is stunning, and you can see the beautiful scenery from the top of the mountain when the sky is clear. The first stop we went to was the Basilica church, and we waited with a large crowd for the famous boys choir singing at 1:00 pm. Inside the church we could see the Black Virgin from a distance. Next was the long queue to see the Black Virgin. The wait was worthwhile, and along the way we passed several chapels. When we entered the room where Black Virgin is, we saw she was protected by glass. It is the tradition to kiss or touch her right hand that is holding a sphere, and for that reason the right hand is not shielded behind the glass.
There are so many beautiful sights to see. If you have the time, you should walk up to the mountain top to enjoy a bird’s eye view of the Monastery. The Funicular de Sant Joan will take you even further up the Montserrat Mountain, above the Monastery.
It is definitely worth it for you to spend a full day there, preferably on a weekday to avoid the crowds.
It is well known as the site of the Benedictine abbey, Santa Maria de Montserrat, which hosts the wooden Black Virgin of Montserrat. The view is stunning, and you can see the beautiful scenery from the top of the mountain when the sky is clear. The first stop we went to was the Basilica church, and we waited with a large crowd for the famous boys choir singing at 1:00 pm. Inside the church we could see the Black Virgin from a distance. Next was the long queue to see the Black Virgin. The wait was worthwhile, and along the way we passed several chapels. When we entered the room where Black Virgin is, we saw she was protected by glass. It is the tradition to kiss or touch her right hand that is holding a sphere, and for that reason the right hand is not shielded behind the glass.
There are so many beautiful sights to see. If you have the time, you should walk up to the mountain top to enjoy a bird’s eye view of the Monastery. The Funicular de Sant Joan will take you even further up the Montserrat Mountain, above the Monastery.
It is definitely worth it for you to spend a full day there, preferably on a weekday to avoid the crowds.
More photos please click the photo below for larger picture
James Huang - All rights reserved.
No comments:
Post a Comment