Montserrat

Beautiful Montserrat - A journey into Serenity

The Benedictine abbey of Santa Maria de Montserrat is located on the mountains of Montserrat, standing secluded in the centre of the  most populated part of Catalonia, Spain. Montserrat literally translates to serrated, the obvious reasons can be seen in the spectacularly jagged peaks of the mountains on which the abbey is built. Tracks lead further up into the mountains, popular with walkers and climbers alike. The abbey is also home to the famous Black Madonna - our Lady of Montserrat, the patron saint of Catalonia.

About 50kms from Barcelona, the abbey can be reached by a steep ascent on the cable car or by a scenic route on a more comfortable gradient by the rack railway. From Espanya rail station the R5 rail line goes through to Aeri de Montserrat for the cable car, or the next stop Monistrol for the rack railway. Ticket purchased for one route cannot be used on the other, so two separate singles are advisable if anyone wants to experience both aspects. Funicular railways lead to other parts of the mountains as well for which a combined ticket is also available.

Sharing some photographs from my short trip.

Montserrat from Aeri de Montserrat

Montserrat from the cable car station at Sei de Montserrat

Looking down the steep gradient we just climbed up from the cable car station on Montserrat 

Montserrat view

Montserrat rack railway station

Walking around the main abbey

The jagged peaks of Montserrat

Walking around Montserrat

Montserrat abbey complex

Montserrat abbey buildings

Montserrat basilica entrance, the arches lead to the atrium

Montserrat basilica entrance, looking outwards

The basilica atrium beautifully done on black and white

Montserrat basilica facade

Montserrat basilica interiors

The altar of Montserrat basilica

Montserrat basilica alter

Our Lady of Montserrat - Black Madonna 

Finishing off with photographs of colourful prayer candles brightening up the caves beautifully in their soft light, the atmosphere is of utmost peace and serenity

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