Monserrat, Spain-Good Friday, 2016

I wasn't actually planning to go to Monserrat as we hadn't signed up for this optional tour

but when I found out that many things in Barcelona would be closed since it was Good Friday

I decided to go to Monserrat as it really did sound interesting. 

The drive up there was quite incredible.  I admired the skill of our bus driver!  And my pictures didn't really do the drive justice.  I felt as if I was in Switzerland.  But I have a little bit of our drive with some narration with our amazing local expert guide.





Located about an hour from Barcelona you can also go by train.  We left early to avoid the crowds and were the first tour bus to arrive.  I can imagine how crowded it got later in the day!







But it was beautiful and not at all crowded when we got there.




It seemed to me so amazing to build something like this a thousand years ago in such a setting-not easy. This Benedictine Monastery was established in 1025 although huts were there as early as 900.




Legend has it that local children in medieval times saw lights and heard singing and followed the light and sound to a cave where they found the black virgin which brought pilgrims here.



In 1811 Napoleon's troops destroyed the buildings but the black virgin, hidden away, was safe.

In 1830's, Spanish Royalty dissolved the monasteries and convents since it found religious orders bothersome.


In the 1850's the monks returned as part of Catalunya's and all Europe's renewed Romantic appreciation of all things medieval and nationalistic. The buildings and basilica were rebuilt and Monserrat became a symbol and the heart of the Catalonian people

During the dictator, Franco's long rule from 1939 to 1973, he saw Monserrat as representing Catalonian rebelliousness.  In 1970, 300 intellectuals demonstrating for more human rights were locked in the basilica for several days as punishment.

So Monserrat is not just a symbol of religion.

Because it was Good Friday, the black virgin was not lit up when we entered the basilica, but we were able to hear the monks doing Gregorian chanting so that was quite special.

Their boys choir is very famous and this is the longest established choral school in Europe.  For me, it was interesting as I had heard monks doing Gregorian chanting last fall in the Benedictine Monastery at St. Benoit du Lac near where i grew up in Quebec.

You can see here a plaque giving the history.

Time to light another candle.

The air seemed very clear here.  It's only 2400 feet high but since it seemed much higher.  It is popular with hikers.  And you can take funiculars up to Saint John Chapel or down to the sacred cave where the Black Virgin was found, but I did not.

  

Lots of amazing views-

I have to admit not sure about this statute!

you can stay at Monserrat in silence or just in a regular hotel and you can definitely shop as well!

 The olive oil looked good but I did resist a purchase!

I was looking forward to going to the market near our hotel in Barcelona but it was closed on Good Friday but I did get to go to the market at Monserrat.

I had fun sampling cheese etc. and I did buy a small jar of honey for a friend.

  

I really loved the views

I really loved my visit to Monserrat and somehow although I am not religious a rather neat place to be on Good Friday!

A contrast to the bustle of Barcelona!  I would totally recommend a trip here!