Page 224 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Spain

222  EASTER n S p AI n

p Monestir de Montserrat

The “Serrated Mountain” (mont serrat), its highest peak
rising to 1,236 m (4,055 ft), is a magnificent setting for
Catalonia’s holiest place, the Monastery of Montserrat,
which is surrounded by chapels and hermits’ caves.
A chapel was first mentioned in the 9th century, the
monastery was founded in the 11th century and in
1811, when the French attacked Catalonia in the War of
Independence (see p67), it was destroyed and the monks
killed. Rebuilt and repopulated in 1844, it was a beacon of
Catalan culture during the Franco years. Today Benedictine
monks live here. Visitors can hear the Escolania singing the
Salve Regina and the Virolai (Marian and Montserrat hymns)
in the basilica at 1pm and 7pm Monday to Friday, 6:45pm
Monday to Thursday and noon and 6:45pm on Sundays,
except in the summer and during the Christmas period.

The Way of the Cross
This path passes 11 statues
representing the Stations of
the Cross. It begins near
the Plaça de l’Abat Oliba.

KEY
1 Funicular to the holy site
of Santa Cova
2 The Museum has a collection
of 19th- and 20th-century Catalan
paintings and many Italian and
French works. It also displays
liturgical items from the Holy Land.
3 Plaça de Santa Maria’s
focal points are two wings of the
Gothic cloister built in 1476. The
modern monastery façade is by
Françesc Folguera.
4 Gothic cloister
5 The Black Virgin (La Moreneta)
looks down from behind the altar.
Protected behind glass, her wooden
orb protrudes for pilgrims to touch.
6 The rack railway (La Cremallera),
follows the course of a historic rail
line built in 1880. View of Montserrat
7 Cable car to Aeri de The complex includes cafés and a hotel. A
Montserrat station second funicular transports visitors to nature
trails above the monastery.
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp565–7 and pp588–90

222-223_EW_Spain.indd 222 05/10/15 2:46 pm
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Starsight template “UK” LAYER
(Source v2.5)
Date 6th February2013
Size 125mm x 217mm