Santuari de Montserrat...A place of Tranquility and Spirituality

View of the Montserrat mountain range

After seeing many churches and cathedrals all over Spain, I finally found a place that exuded peace, tranquility and spirituality up in the Catalonian mountains in Montserrat.

We arrive early in the morning as it is about an hour drive north of Barcelona and we are the first group to arrive so everything is tranquil.  There is still fog in the mountains and we are pretty high up on top of the world.
High up and deep in Mount Monserrat resides this monastery built over a thousand years ago, a site of sanctuary built for the Catalan people's patron saint Our Lady of Montserrat.

You can reach the monastery through automobile, train or a cable car which takes some courage as it is very steep up the mountain, however the views are breathtaking.

The atrium to enter the basilica is large and wide and is surrounded by the mountain range.  As you enter there are numerous chapels and rooms with different saints and each has beautiful stained glass windows with a large round one depicting the Virgin Mary in the rose window in the basilica.

Extraordinary beautiful craftsmanship art.

The Sanctuary is where the holy image of Our Lady of Montserrat is placed.   
  "La Moreneta" (The Black Madonna) as she is called, due to her dark color is a gilded carving dating back to the late 12th century.  The image is of  Our Lady seated with a child on her lap in a regal and frontal pose. She holds in her right hand an orb symbolizing the universe.  Many discussions have taken place as to the coloring of the Madonna and child and scientists and art restorers have concluded that the carving has gone through a transformation of the oxidation of the varnish and the smoke from the many candles and oil lamps that burned around the image throughout the centuries.  She is found in a Niche that was built to house the image and is accessible to everyone.  The stairs to get to the shrine are beautifully enclosed in paintings and wood carvings.  

Stairs leading to the Niche

The tradition is to touch the orb and offer your prayers and thoughts in that small niche where she sits. I'm not a religious person nor do cathedrals and churches impress me other than the art and craftsmanship in them, but this place feels different, it feels .....holy.... and I kneel , touch the orb and thank her and the universe for all the blessings in my life and for continue protection of my loved ones.   

Our Lady of Montserrat

As you exit her chamber you walk into a small chapel.."The Chapel of the Niche" that is charming. 

 It has stained glass ceiling , mosaic tiles and beautiful painted ceilings in the Romanesque style.  As most cathedrals or chapels, very ornate but this one has lots of white colors and is more cheerful than most other chapels.

Walking through the main high altar there are many paintings on the wall, expert craftsmanship in the carvings and woodwork and then you exit and you find a large open space and you are surrounded by the majesty of the mountains. 


As you continue to the exit there are local farmers and vendors selling homemade cheese, wine, fruit desserts and all kinds of delicacies. Some are very delicious and I want to take many samples home with me !

As I breath the mountain air in, I give thanks again for having the opportunity to see such a wondrous place of worship in such a majestic natural place.

Life is certainly good....:)

Reheaded Lady