A feeling called the 'Montserrat Monastery…'

While going through the tourist guide in my hotel at Barcelona, I came across an article on the Montserrat Monastery. During my visit to Europe, me and my hubby visited various Monasteries but what we experienced at Montserrat was something totally different. It was a vibe that not only touched our soul, but left an impact in our hearts for life. This monastery is popular for the Black Madonna, the world famous boys’ choir and the unique rock formations that have taken various shapes, naturally.

As seen from the Track Rail while going to the Monastery . Not only is the Montserrat Monastery of significant religious importance but the natural beauty surrounding the monastery is simply breath-taking.

As seen from the Funicular - The Monastery

The myth behind the Black Madonna

Legends have it that years ago on a Saturday afternoon a group of shepherd children saw a bright light descending from the sky onto the Montserrat Mountains. Soon after, they heard angels singing a soothing music that filled their heart with joy. On hearing their kids experience, the parents too decided to visit the spot the following Saturday and what they experienced left them spellbound. This continued for four consecutive Saturdays. The parents knew that they were experiencing something extraordinary and that this was a sign from god. Failing to hold their excitement, they invited Bishop to witness this along with them. The group realized that the sound and light was emerging from a small cave in the Montserrat mountain and decided to get to the root of this phenomenon. Religious elders of the community found an image of the Virgin Mary inside the cave from where the sound and lights were emerging. They tried to take the image in a procession to the city of Manresa but in vain. They considered this to be an act of divine intervention and took it to mean that the image had to be worshiped at Montserrat - it could not be moved. And from that moment on the cave became a holy sanctuary for religious pilgrims and came to be known as Santa Cova often referred to as 'The Holy Grotto' or the Black Madonna. The Black Madonna sits behind a glass sheet holding the universe in her right hand. The tradition is to kiss or touch it with one hand while you open the other to Jesus.

It takes about 25 minutes (walking) from the main Church area to visit Santa Cova. There is a slight uphill but the walk is worth it. The breath taking view of the countryside of Catalonia and the installations along the way will leave you asking for more.

Walkway to Santa Cova

Beautiful Installations alongside the walk way that leads to Santa Cova

The Black Madonna

The Ave Maria Path (Cami de l'Ave Maria)

The most holy feeling is to light a candle at the Ave Maria Path after you have visited the Basilica and prayed to the black Madonna. An entire wall lit with colorful candles signifies the number of people who have visited this holy place to pay their homage to the Holy Grotto. If you want to light your own candle for the Virgin, you will need to purchase one from the cages that sit in the atrium next to the Basilica. Pick the one that you want to light and tender the exact change in the box placed against each of these. We decided to light the red candle and seal our love for life at this holy Church.

The world famous Boy's Choir

Popularly known as the L'Escolania, the Montserrat boy’s choirboys’ is world famous. This choir not only enjoys international fame but has also given concert performances world over. It performs at the Church every day at 1 p.m. except on Saturdays & Sundays and Christmas holidays. We timed our visit to listen to the choir. A bunch of young boys aged between 9 – 14 take center stage, all eyes on them, perform the Choir and exit in exactly 20 minutes, leaving you with a feeling that cannot be explained. Trust me, listening to the Choir is a life changing experience.

Unlike its other famous cousins the Vienna Boys’ Choir and the King's College Choir, the L’Escolania Boy’s ChoirBoys’ Choir tours only for few days in order to accommodate the visitors who travel from all over the globe to just listen to them. They have also build up a catalogue of various recordings, which is hugely popular. Unfortunately, I did visit the Montserrat shop unaware that I could pick the Choir recordings from there. Next time may be.

The Boy's Choir performing in the Basilica

The Montserrat Rock Formations that will leave you gasping

The Montserrat Mountain is also famous for it amazing and unbelievable rock formations. The most popular being of an Elephant head and trunk followed by La Momia that has taken the form of an Egyptian mummy. The formation owes its dazing appearance to events that unfolded some 45 million years ago. That was when most of the areas was submerged underwater and formed part of a large delta. Years later the earth shifted plates thereby pushing the sea ahead and the mountains upwards that were exposed to rain and wind, carving different shapes and formations making Montserrat what it is today.

How to get there?

Montserrat is located some 60 kilometers to the north of Barcelona. It can be reached by car as well as by the train. Catch a train from the Espanya rail station in Barcelona. Once at Espanya look for Line R5 headed towards Manresa. R5 takes you to the base of the mountain from where you can take either the Rack Rail or cable car to reach the Monastery.

While there: -

· Do visit the Montserrat Museum, entrance fee ranges between € 7 to 9

· Take the Funicular to visit Santa Cova cave to see the Black Madonna. Funicular ticket costs

€4.00 return or €2.60 single

· Take Funicular II to go to further top from where you can take a walk to the extreme top of the mountain for a spectacular view

· Access to the audio visual tour next to the gift shop

· Visit the Monastery and light a candle at the Ave Maria Path

Me on the top of the world

Quick tips:-

·Carry some munchies and a water bottle. Will come handy when visiting the Black Madonna as it’s a long walk

· Buy an inclusive Montserrat pass that includes return fare to and fro from Barcelona along with ticket of R5, Track Railway or Cable Car (you can book either, tickets are different and is issued depending on your choice), The Audio Visual Tour and both the Funiculars. This is called the Trans Montserrat Ticket. You could also buy the ToT Montserrat ticket that includes a free entry into the Montserrat museum plus a free lunch at the restaurant at Montserrat in addition to all that is included in the Trans pass.

· Do visit the Montserrat shop to buy a few souvenirs and most importantly music CDs of the Boys Choir.

As I sign off this blog, I leave you with the Basilica Church bells that will teleport you to another world!

#Montserrat #Monastery #BlackMadonna #BoysChoir #L'Escolania #Barcelona #Spain