Barcelona is certainly a great place to see history and architecture, with the Sagrada Familia and many other Antoni Gaudi creations among just some of the fascinating and beautiful buildings around the city. However, Catalonia has more to offer than its capital, with a number of day trips offering interesting places to visit. One of these is the Montserrat Basilica, which is just a half day trip from the city. It involves a scenic ride into the Montserrat mountains that lie inland from the city, with the ultimate destination being Montserrat Mountain itself (Like Snowdonia and the Cairngorms, the whole range is named after a particular peak).
At the foot of the 4,051 ft (1,235 m) peak, which rises dramatically from the low ground below, there lies the Royal Basilica of Montserrat. A magnificent building in its own right, it has been a major pilgrimage site for Catholics down the years, with its 12th century Romanesque-style carving of the Virgen Moroneta (Black Virgin) being the chief attraction. A range of guided tours are available and these are highly recommended, as the expertise on hand will help you get a great introduction to the basilica. As well as the Virgen Moroneta, there is a chance for those visiting on Saturdays to hear a performance by La Escolania de Montserrat, one of the oldest children’s choirs in Europe. Having been given the introduction, you can then spend between two and three hours exploring the site and enjoying the fantastic views from the mountainside.
Much of the basilica consists of bits that have been added down the centuries. This was particularly true after the Napoleonic wars led to the building being badly damaged between 1808 and 1814. Look out for the wooden carvings of Old Testament prophets by Josep Llimona that date from 1896, the new facade added in 1900, and the Atrium of Abbot Argerich, which was decorated in the 1950s. Apart from these specific features, the architectural style is itself quite remarkable. Essentially Gothic with some Renaissance touches, it also contains elements of a distinctly Catalan style. So, while Barcelona is a wonderful city to visit, Montserrat offers one compelling reason to venture beyond its boundaries.
