1. Montserrat Mountain is a mountain range located in Catalonia, Spain, about 30 miles northwest of Barcelona. The highest peak, Sant Jeroni, stands at 1,236 meters (4,055 ft) tall. The mountain range is known for its unique serrated appearance, caused by centuries of erosion and geological activity.
Montserrat Mountain is also famous for its Benedictine monastery, Santa Maria de Montserrat, which is home to the statue of the Virgin of Montserrat, also known as the Black Madonna. The monastery was founded in the 11th century and attracts thousands of pilgrims each year. Visitors can also hike the mountain trails, visit the natural park, or enjoy the panoramic views offered by the cog railway.
2. The Montserrat monastery is open daily from 7:30 am to 8:00 pm, with different schedules for the different areas of the monastery. The monastery can be reached by train, bus, or car. The train departs from the Plaça d’Espanya station in Barcelona and takes about an hour. Buses and cars can take the winding road up the mountain. There is also a cog railway that takes visitors up the mountain to the monastery.
If you want to take the cog railway, you can buy tickets online or at the station. The prices vary depending on the type of ticket and whether you want to include a visit to the museum or the audiovisual exhibition. For more information, you can visit the official website of Montserrat Mountain.
3. Entrance to the monastery and the basilica is free of charge, but there may be a fee for other attractions such as the museum, audiovisual exhibition, or cog railway. If you want to visit the museum or the audiovisual exhibition, you can buy tickets online or at the entrance. Prices for the museum start at €8 for adults, while the audiovisual exhibition starts at €5.
In terms of transportation, there are several options to get to Montserrat Mountain. The most popular and convenient way is to take the train from Barcelona, which leaves from the Plaça d’Espanya station. The tickets cost around €11 for a round trip. Alternatively, you can take the bus from Barcelona, which leaves from the Ronda Universitat station. The tickets cost around €8 for a round trip.
If you prefer to drive, there is a winding road that leads up the mountain, but be aware that it can be quite steep and narrow. There is also a large parking lot available at the monastery.
