Montserrat Monastery
Santa Maria de Montserrat
A saw-toothed holy mountain 50 km northwest of Barcelona. The Benedictine monastery houses the 'Black Madonna', patron of Catalonia, and the rack railway and hiking trails offer views of the jagged peaks.
Montserrat means 'serrated mountain', and it is made up of countless cylindrical conglomerate peaks. The highest, Sant Jeroni, rises to 1,236 meters above sea level. At 720 meters up the mountainside sits a Benedictine monastery founded in the 11th century, which houses the 12th-century wooden statue of the Black Madonna (La Moreneta), a spiritual symbol of Catalonia. The young Gaudí is said to have drawn inspiration from the mountain's shapes. Highlights of a visit: the basilica is free to enter, and you can queue to walk up behind the main altar and get close enough to touch the orb in the Virgin's hand (usually 30–60 minutes). Escolania, one of Europe's oldest boys' choirs, usually sings in the basilica Monday to Friday at around 1 pm and on Sunday at around noon. It stays silent during school holidays, so check the official schedule. The monastery museum (about €8) holds works by Caravaggio, El Greco, Picasso and Dalí. Two cable railways run from the monastery. Santa Cova descends to the grotto where the Virgin appeared, and Sant Joan climbs to the summit hiking area. From the upper station, a 45-minute walk leads to Sant Jeroni for views over the peaks, and on clear days you can see as far as the Pyrenees. Getting there: take the FGC R5 line from Plaça d'Espanya for about 1 hour to Monistrol de Montserrat, then change to the rack railway (Cremallera), or change at Aeri de Montserrat for the yellow cable car. Trans Montserrat and Tot Montserrat passes include return train tickets, the cable car and a buffet meal. Food options on the mountain are limited and expensive, so bringing a picnic is wise. Bring a jacket, as it is cooler on the mountain than in the city. Half a day to a full day is enough for a round trip, making it Barcelona's most classic day trip.
Opening hours
Main hall 07:30–20:00; Madonna statue 08:00–10:30, 12:00–18:15; museum 10:00–17:45
Nearby sights
- Church of Colònia Güell
- Tibidabo
- Camp Nou (Spotify Camp Nou)
- Sitges
- Park Güell
- Casa Vicens
- Bunkers del Carmel
- Gràcia