Montserrat

We were so grateful to pick up Hermana Welling and Hermana Fernandez in Terrassa, having invited us on their p-day adventure. As we drove out of Terrassa our destination was quickly revealed. The swift transition from city to such natural beauty was amazing. We didn’t realize we were so close to nature and amazing Montserrat.

Montserrat soon came into view, its iconic monastery clinging to the mountainside. The construction imbued centuries of history with tales of monks, Moorish influence, Napoleonic campaigns, and the Spanish Civil War.

We had a tender mercy with the timing of our visit. The crowds were relatively light, allowing for a short 15-minute wait before entering the basilica to see the Black Madonna. The experience was made even more special by the beautiful choir we heard as we walked up the stairs inside.

Beyond the monastery, the views from Montserrat are worth taking the time to walk down to the other side of the basilica. We did miss the funicular ride, a feature we'll be sure to experience on a future visit.

The local market was fun to experience along the side of the basilica, and we enjoyed sampling the delicious pesto cheese and the fresh cheese with honey.

Montserrat is more than just a tourist destination. It's a place where history, faith, and the natural beauty of Catalan.