Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Montserrat, Spain {Part VI of VII}

One of the destinations I’ve always wanted to visit in the Cataluña region is Montserrat.

Quite some time ago, I came across the unforgettable photo of a Benedictine Abbey nestled high up in the most unusual looking serrated mountain range (hence the name Montserrat). The jagged mountains resemble saw-like teeth that are actually pretty ugly in a fascinating way!

Montserrat is particularly well known for its Basilica that houses the much revered 12th century Black Madonna wooden sculpture, as well as the choirboys who perform there daily.

Apart from the religious significance, Montserrat also attracts visitors simply because of the tranquil surroundings and stunning views it offers. About 1.5hrs away from Girona and only 1hr away from bustling Barcelona, it literally feels like another world all together up there.

The highest point of the mountain range can be reached on foot after arriving at the top funicular station of Sant Jeroni. It may take a whole day to explore and fully enjoy Montserrat, but it is without a doubt, worth every minute!



Incredibly foggy when we first got there, the skies eventually cleared up, revealing the massive rock face.









Several buildings make up the entire complex. Besides the basilica, some of the other buildings include museums, hotel & apartments, a tourist centre, a huge cafeteria and gift shop.








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