The mountain and the Benedictine monastery of Montserrat, which was founded in the 11th century, are located in a natural park about 50 km west of Barcelona.
Santa María de Montserrat, patron saint of Catalonia, is venerated in the sanctuary. The Benedictine community, currently made up of about eighty monks, has been at the service of the sanctuary for almost a thousand years. It is mainly dedicated to prayer, work and the reception of pilgrims, making this place a center of meeting, prayer and culture. In addition to the monks, in Montserrat there is also the Escolanía, the oldest choir of singing boys in Europe. Information: www.escolania.cat. In addition, it is interesting to visit the Montserrat Museum which contains, among other artistic objects, an important collection of painters such as Picasso, Dalí, El Greco, Caravaggio, Degas, Monet, Casas or Nonell.
Communications:
Distance 50 km from Barcelona.
Railway, RENFE: FGC Pl. Espanya Station. Line R5 (Barcelona/Manresa)
Highway: A-2 Exit 570 Montserrat / Manresa.
Montserrat Reservation and Information Center
938 777 701
www.abadiamontserrat.net
www.montserratvisita.com