DAY TRIP TO MONTSERRAT

(9/28/10) Our day trip from Barcelona to the Monastery of Montserrat was awe-inspiring as advertised. Set high up on the cliffs amid spectacular rock formations, we took a Cable Car from the base of the mountain up to the main square of the Monastery. Built around 1025, the monastery is home to a group of Benedictine Monks, and the Montserrat Escolonia choir school, said to be the oldest music school in Europe. We were fortunate that the timing of our arrival allowed us to enjoy the sole 10-minute daily performance of the Choir in the Basilica, which also houses La Moreneta, a famous wooden statue also known as the “Black Virgin” because the wood has darkened over the ages. Though legend has it the statute was carved by St. Luke and brought to Spain by St. Peter, carbon dating indicates its age to actually be about 800 years old. Because of its religious significance, we waited for nearly 90 minutes along with hundreds of pilgrims in a long line to see it and rub the Orb held by the Virgin Mary. Later we took a Funicular to the even higher cliffs above the Monastery and then hiked and climbed up a steep trail to near the very top of the mountain for a fabulous view of the Monastery from above. After returning down to the main square of the Monastery, we hiked along a paved trail lined with gardens and religious statutes for a birdseye view of the front of the Monastery from across another clifftop. Our excursion to see this one-of-a-kind religious site was definitely worthwhile and is highly recommended for anyone with an extra day of sightseeing in Barcelona.