Montserrat

Montserrat Spain

Montserrat is a toponym, which means a “serrated mountain”. A mountain? But this place is a lake isn’t it: a wide surface of the turbulent water, a huge mass of waves, storms, and splashes of this aquatic element? Really it was… 10 million years ago. Some sweeping changes, however, such as soil erosion, winds, various sediments etc., caused the beginnings of a new relief. That was something unique. A mountain massif and a serrated mountain started its’ formation. It is now a famous and sacred mountain of 720 meters above sea level, with its famous and sacred Benedictine abbey Santa Maria de Montserrat.

The Monistrol de Montserrat, Barcelona Spain was founded in the X-th century. It is a spiritual symbol of Catalonia, famous for the Montserrat Spain Black Madonna – the Virgin of Montserrat. The Virgin reveled Herself in divine light, seen by boys-shepherds in the mountains, in 880. A wonderful, boy choir performs nearly every day in the Basilica. At 13.00 the performance is free of charge.

Dimensions

Nowadays, the highest peak of Montserrat is of 1230 meters above sea level, the surface of the mountain occupies the territory of 10 x 5 square kilometers, covered with an innumerable amount of limestone rocks in forms of giants, animals, ships, human beings… This wonder from Barcelona and is situated in 50 kilometers to the northwest from the city.

Climate

As to the climate, it is, generally speaking, subtropical, Mediterranean, humid. The significant difference of heights, however, makes “particular climates” in each part of this National park. This mountainous conglomerate has its average annual temperature of 14 degrees C. The average temperature at the foot of the mountain is higher. Montserrat map is painted green, except the southern zones.

The explanation is the luxuriant vegetation, which covers nearly the whole territory of Montserrat, thanks to the climate humidity. Weather can change very quickly, the rains are not long, but they are rainfalls, (it is just when we say: “It rains cats and dogs”), as well as snowfalls – rare, but – fall heavily. Enchanting morning mists and fogs convert the staying in this incredibly beautiful place, to a wonderful fairytale!

The effect of a surrounding wonder is strengthened by the Monistrol de Montserrat, Black Madonna, by Her heavenly apparition in the place in the IX-th century, by miracles, have been being created by the Virgin de Montserrat since that time, by the angelical singing of the choir of boys, performing religious songs. The Benedictine monastery itself is a miracle, being a harmonious ensemble of austere buildings and making an impressive contrast with the enormous, chaotically piled on, stone boulders, forming the conglomerate Montserrat.

A real treasury

Being a real treasury, the Monastery, and the surroundings offer a lot of things to do. You may visit the best Library in Spain, containing 300 thousand volumes, 400 of which are manuscripts, the Museum of Montserrat will demonstrate you archaeological findings, sculptures, paintings by Dalí, El Greco, Picasso…

Montserrat nature, the views from the sierra and travel facilities offer a lot of possibilities to walk in the open air. After a long walk, one is looking forward to having some rest and something to eat. Hotel Abat Cisneros is at your disposal.

The hotel is situated in some minutes walk from the places of interest, which have been just mentioned. The hotel has 82 rooms with wireless internet. There are bathrooms, beds for adults and children. If you feel hungry, two restaurants and cafés are waiting for you. Every day you are offered free breakfasts (buffet).

The international airport BCN-Barcelona is for 37,9 kilometers from the hotel. ¡Bienvenidos!

Our company is organizing excursions to all interesting places of Montserrat. Independent visits a quite possible. Please, find more information here.