General information
| Destination |
|---|
| Barcelona, Spain |
Program details
Take a trip out of Barcelona and discover the beautiful and unusual mountains and famous monastery at Montserrat. Just an hour and a half journey from the city centre, Montserrat has long drawn pilgrims from all over the world and is well worth a trip during your stay in Barcelona. Marvel at the rock formations that give this mountain its unique appearance and tour the basilica and cloisters of the spectacular monastery. One of the highlights of the trip is definitely listening to the resident pupils singing in the daily choir practice.
Take the Montserrat Express service from the centre of Barcelona and travel through the rolling hills and mountains of Catalonia until you arrive at Montserrat. A brief rack railway ride will then take you directly into the centre of the small settlement. Take in the stunning views of Spain’s very first National Park and admire the visual effect of the pink conglomerate sedimentary rock that gives the mountainside its distinct character.
Then enter the monastery itself and explore the Gothic cloisters dating back to the 15th century. Your audio guide will explain the fascinating history behind all the buildings you enter. Head to the basilica, built slightly later in the 16th century and discover the “Mare de Déu”, image of the Virgin Mary that attracts Catholic pilgrims from far and wide. Made out of carved polychrome and golden wood around the turn of the 13th century, it is affectionately known as the “Moreneta” as both the Virgin Mary's and Baby Jesus' hands and face are dark.
Finish the tour with a visit to the Montserrat open-air museum and as a parting souvenir you will receive a box of delicious carquinyoli biscuits, a local speciality made in Montserrat.
Duration: Eight hours.
Start/opening time: At 8.30am.
Others: Montserrat Express leaves from FGC Barcelona-Plaza España railway station at 8.55am every day. Clients get off at Monistrol de Montserrat station and then transfer to the rack railway, which will drop them off in the center of Montserrat.
Italiano