A Benedictine monastery perched on a jagged mountain peak, 1,236 meters above sea level. Home to the Black Madonna statue and a world-renowned boys' choir since 1025.
The jagged peaks of Montserrat rise over 1,200 meters above Catalonia, with the Santa MarÃa de Montserrat monastery built directly into the rock face. Inside this working abbey, a 12th-century wooden statue of the Virgin Mary draws pilgrims from across Spain. You can ride a cable car up cliffs striped with pink rock, hike trails past formations like the Cavall Bernat cliff, or explore the Santa Cova chapel where the statue was said to appear. Gregorian chants echo through the basilica each afternoon when the boys’ choir sings. This mountain has been a religious site since at least 880 CE, when monks first established hermitages among the crags.
Visiting the Monastery and the Black Madonna
The Santa MarÃa de Montserrat monastery operates as a functioning religious community, with monks maintaining daily prayer services since the 1800s reconstruction. Inside the basilica, a small chapel behind the main altar holds La Moreneta, a dark wooden Virgin Mary statue believed by some to have healing powers. Many visitors wait in line to touch the orb she holds. The current statue likely dates to the 1100s, though legends claim it was hidden in a cave during Moorish rule. Go early to see the 8:00 AM Mass before tour groups arrive, and notice the detailed stone carvings of biblical scenes along the cloister walls.
Walking and Climbing Routes
Over 15 marked trails cross Montserrat’s slopes, ranging from flat walks to steep climbs. The most challenging route leads to Sant Jeroni, the highest point, starting near the Sant Joan funicular station. This 2.5-kilometer path takes about 90 minutes, passing scrub oaks and sections with metal handrails. For an easier option, take the paved path from the monastery to Santa Cova chapel—a 1.6-kilometer round trip with views of the Llobregat Valley. The rock here consists of cemented pebbles and sand deposited by rivers 50 million years ago, later pushed upward by tectonic forces. Climbers practice on the 300-meter Cavall Bernat face, while hikers identify shapes like the Elephant’s Trunk formation near the Pla dels Ocells viewpoint.
Daily Choir Performances
The Escolania de Montserrat choir sings for 10 minutes each day at 1:00 PM in the basilica, except Saturdays and during school holidays. About 50 boys aged 9–14 study music and academics at the monastery’s boarding school, continuing a tradition started in the 1300s. They wear white robes and stand in a metal balcony above the congregation during performances. If you visit in late July or August, check ahead—the choir often tours during summer break.
Getting to Montserrat
Three main options connect Barcelona to the monastery. Take the R5 train from Plaça d’Espanya to Aeri de Montserrat station, then transfer to the orange cable car for a steep 5-minute ride up the mountain. Alternatively, stay on the R5 to Monistrol de Montserrat and board the Cremallera train, which zigzags up the slope through three tunnels. Drivers can park at the monastery’s lot for €6.50 per day, but arrive before 10:00 AM on weekends to secure a spot. Buy train and cable car tickets together online to save time.
Art and Artifacts in the Montserrat Museum
The monastery’s museum displays paintings recovered after the government returned confiscated religious art in the 1880s. Room 3 holds a Caravaggio painting of Saint Jerome from 1605, while Room 5 focuses on 19th-century Catalan artists like Ramon Casas. Don’t miss the archaeology wing with 3,000-year-old pottery from Iberian settlements and Roman coins found near the mountain. Descriptions appear in Catalan and Spanish, but an audio guide available for €3 explains key pieces in English. Plan 45 minutes to see highlights like the Egyptian amulets and Picasso’s 1963 engraving dedicated to the monastery.
Tips for Your Visit
Wear hiking shoes with grip—many trails have loose gravel and uneven steps. Free drinking water stations near the main plaza let you refill bottles. April through June sees fewer crowds than summer, though rain showers sometimes close higher trails. In winter, temperatures at the summit can drop below freezing, while July afternoons often exceed 30°C. The Abat Cisneros hotel next to the basilica has basic rooms with balconies facing the rock formations. Book parking online if visiting between 11:00 AM and 4:00 PM, when day-trippers from Barcelona arrive.
