Montserrat Monastery

On our second day in Barcelona, we decided to actually leave the city and head into the mountains to visit Montserrat Monastery, home to the Black Madonna which was found in a grotto near the monastery sometime around the year 880 AD. Aside from the beautiful basilica, the natural scenery is also a wonder to behold and something we had both been looking forward to after living in a city of 10 million for the past four months.

Walking along the lower trail to the grotto of the Madonna.

We decided to view the basilica first as the Montserrat boys choir was giving a short performance. The music combined with the beauty of the basilica was unreal. We have found that the Spanish churches tend to have a warmer feel as more wood and marble are used compared to the rock used in the cathedrals and churches of France.

The alter of the basilica at Montserrat.

At the end of the performance, we decided to make our way to the top of the mountain to take in the spectacular views. It was the middle of the afternoon and the sun was simply marvelous. Even at the top of the mountain, it was still 13 degrees.

At the top of the mountain. 1.3 km from the base.

Mindy practices her karate while her new friend, the kitty, looks on in stunned amusement (see the little guy behind her).

While waiting for the ride back down the mountain, I decided to make like the locals and took a little siesta in the sun.

After going to the summit of the mountain, we made our way down to the grotto of the Madonna. Along the path, there are fifteen stations depicting the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. The monuments at each station are fairly elaborate and its amazing to think how they were made on the side of a mountain. For anyone thinking about a trip to Barcelona, Montserrat is a definite must-see.

Walking the mountain path to the grotto of the Madonna. Ahead is the station of the cross.