What can you see at Montserrat Monastery and history

About What can you see at Montserrat Monastery and history

The sanctuary of the Virgin Mary of Montserrat, has its historical origins in the hermitage of Santa Maria, which Count Guifre el Pelas gave to the Monastery of Ripoll in the year 888.

In 1025, Oliba, Abbot of Ripoll and Bishop of Vic, founded a new monastery at the hermitage of Santa Maria de Montserrat. The little monastery soon began to receive pilgrims and visitors who contributed to the spread of stories of miracles and wonders performed by the Virgin.

In 1409 the monastery of Montserrat became an independent abbey. From 1493 to 1835, a period in which the monastery underwent great reforms, growing and increasing in splendour, Montserrat was part of the Valladolid Congregation.

During the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, the Monastery of Montserrat became a cultural centre of the first order. The Montserrat Music School produced important composers.

The French War (1808-1811) and disentailment in 1835 brought destruction and abandonment, but in 1844 monastic life began to return and in 1881 there were the Festivities for the Coronation of the Image of Our Lady, at which She was proclaimed Patron Saint of Catalonia by Pope Leo XIII.

The Spanish Civil War (1936 - 1939) led once again to the abandonment of the monastery. However, the Government of Catalonia managed to save Montserrat from being sacked and destroyed.

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Visiting What can you see at Montserrat Monastery and history

Today, Montserrat has been modernised to continue attending to the needs to pilgrims one thousand years after it was originally founded.

This day trip is to visit the Montserrat Monastery and then complete an EASY 7km circular route walking up into the mountains to visit abandoned and ruined hermitages and viewpoints. Once back at the Monastery, return home via Cramallera or Cable car to get FGC train back to Plaza Espana in Barcelona.

My recommeded place to eat is the Montserrat buffet Restaurant.

Accessibility, mobility & Clothing for Montserrat Monastery

If just visiting the monastery area then be aware that this is the religious centre of Catalunya so there is a dress code to enter the basilica. No see through clothes, beachwear, bikinis. Skirts must be at least mid thigh length. Shorts are permitted but not hotpants. You will be asked to remove your hat when you enter the basilica.

In the winter months it can get a little windy on at the monastery. If you are visiting Montserrat for a hiking activity and also plan to visit the basilica, pack appropriate clothes that you can put on over your sports wear.

If you visit the Museum it is worth having headphones for the audio guide.

Convertible Trousers

Lightweight convertible trousers that zip down to shorts

Mid layer Top

Light weight cotton quick dry T-shirt

Trail shoes

Lightweight comfortable trail shoes

Day Trip Rucksack

Small 10L day trip and museums rucksack

Summer socks

Ankle spring/summer socks

Fleece jacket or Jersey

Light weight warm fleece

Base layer long sleve

Thermal long sleve skin tight top

In Ear Headphones

With 3.5mm jack. For running and for museum visits that have an audio guide. Museums don't provide headphones since Covid.

Getting to What can you see at Montserrat Monastery and history

Address: Monestir de Montserrat, Monistrol de Montserrat. 08199

The quickest way is to get the FGC train From Plaza Espana to Aeri de Montserrat and transfer onto the cable car. This is my recommended route as it offers the most scenic views. However there is also a slower and less scenic cremallera train that departs from Monistrol de Montserrat and arrives at Montserrat monastery via Monistrol vila.

These stations are on the FGC LLobregat Anoia lines.

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