Holidays with a child in Spain, specifically Catalonia, may not be complete if you do not visit one of the most popular attractions in Catalonia — Montserrat Monastery.
Mount Montserrat is a vast green massif of incredible beauty. It is located about 50 kilometres from Barcelona, beloved by many tourists. Here, among the rocks, the ancient Benedictine monastery lurks, which, no less, is almost 1000 years old!
It is important to note that the Mountain and Montserrat Monastery are a kind of spiritual symbol of the region, so every season tens of thousands of travellers from the most remote corners of the globe come here to see all the fantastic beauty of this place. Today, 80 Benedictine monks live in the monastery, whose primary mission is to care for pilgrims endlessly. There is also a monastic hotel for receiving guests. To ensure their guests' convenience, the monastery's servants equipped the cells and maintained a garden where fruits and vegetables were grown.
You can climb Mount Montserrat in Spain by the Aeri cable car with yellow cabins. From an altitude of 1000 meters above sea level, you and your little traveller can enjoy fantastic natural panoramas of the area. The trip will not tire you — it will take only 5 minutes.
The Black Madonna, the monastery's main attraction, is a must-see. It is a statue of the Virgin Mary in a golden vestment with an infant in her arms, made of black poplar. The relic is ancient: it dates back to the 12th century. The Catalans believe the Madonna can fulfil any wish, even the most cherished. All you have to do is touch the ball she holds in one hand. You can verify this ancient legend for yourself!
Once you've seen the Black Madonna, you and your child can take a peaceful stroll around the green, tended grounds of the monastery. There are many viewing platforms for park visitors to enjoy the aesthetic pleasure of the stunning views of the monastery and its grounds. We also recommend visiting the church for services beginning at 1 pm every day. Here you'll hear a spectacular choir of boys singing to your ears.
The map of Mount Montserrat is very accurate. If you follow the topographical route in a hired car, you are unlikely to get lost. By the way, don't miss the highest point of the massif, St Jerome's Peak. It rises 1,236 metres above sea level and can only be reached by cable car, and then you have to walk a certain distance on foot.
A visit to Mount Montserrat is not only about walking around the park and admiring the surrounding scenery. It is also a visit to the local museum, which, in addition to the works of the resident monks themselves, displays paintings and icons by some of the greatest masters of all time, such as Caravaggio, Monet, Picasso, Luca Giordano, El Greco, Salvador Dali and many others.
