Montserrat
Montserrat
The Sanctuary of Montserrat is nested in the middle of the most emblematic mountain in Catalonia. More than two million people arrive every year at this place. The existing devotion for Virgin of Montserrat, together with the singularity of the surrounding area and the cultural importance of the monastery make Montserrat a different place. But Montserrat is not only a place conceived for and to pilgrims. On the contrary, it was conceived for everyone wanting to visit it. A characteristic that makes this Marian destination different is the fact that Montserrat is not only a sanctuary, but a monastery and a mountain.
The Montserrat Complex
According to legend, on a Saturday of year 880, some young shepherds saw a big light coming down from the sky. It came accompanied by a beautiful melody. This scene repeated itself in several occasions. Finally, the bishop wanted to see it with his own eyes. He went there and saw the same scene and when they tried to move the image of Virgin Mary, it become impossible. They understood the divine will: that image had to be venerated on the Montserrat Mountain.
The first document that mentions something, therefore, the historic origin of the sanctuary of Our Lady of Montserrat is from year 888. Count Wilfredo ‘El Velloso’ donated the hermitage of Saint Maria to the Ripoll Monastery.
Very soon, this small abbey received pilgrims and visitors from many places. Everybody knew the stories of the miracles that there the Virgin did. Some years later, a Romanesque church was built and was sculpted the image of the Virgin, the same one that is venerated today.
Montserrat is a big space where the visitor can enjoy the basilica, the place where the image of the Virgin is kept, the natural park, the monastery, the kids choir and the museum. Montserrat is not only a place conceived for and to pilgrims. On the contrary, it was conceived for everyone wanting to visit it. A characteristic that makes this Marian destination different is the fact that Montserrat is not only a sanctuary, but a monastery and a mountain.
The basilica was originally built using the Renaissance-Gothic stile. The Catalonian architecture applied these two styles during the 16th century. The moment you enter, the first thing that you can see is the monks´ choir and the main altar. On the top part, you can see the throne with the image of Saint Mary. It has only one nave with communicated chapels and side platforms. It is not a church of big proportions, even though if we think of the time, the place where it was constructed and the available materials, it looks like at that time it was quite a building. The environment gives and ambiance of intimacy and meditation.
In order to venerate the image, you will have to exit the basilica and get back in through the right side entrance. The ritual gesture used to venerate the image is kissing or touching her right hand. This hand holds the ball that symbolizes the universe. When going down from the Virgin´s throne, you will see the “camarín” (small chamber) of the Virgin. This space was design by Master Francisco de Paula and assisted by the young architect Antonio Gaudí.
The organ deserves a special mention. Montserrat has always been a music reference in Catalonia. The organ that can be heard nowadays has 4,242 tubes.
The Benedictine monastery, founded by abbot Oliva on 1025 is one of the institutions that give Montserrat its own personality. Approximately 70 monks dedicate their lives to work, prayer and to the welcoming service of pilgrims and visitors. The goal is to make Montserrat a prayer and meeting place. The main activities of the monks are the organization of the monastery and the sanctuary services, research and teaching, popularization of studies and training the choir. They dedicate their lives to prayer, work and to providing a warm welcoming to pilgrims.
The library of the monastery has played a fundamental role in the preservation and popularization of the Catalonian Culture. It has more than 300,000 books and volumes.
The Squares
Three big squares joint the different buildings, giving to the visitors an open and friendly atmosphere:
- the Plaça de la Creu, so called for the cross located to the left of the square
- the Plaça de l’Abat Oliba, with a bronze sculpture dedicated to the Abbot Oliba, founder of the monastery
- the Plaça de Santa Maria, the closest to the basilica. In this one are celebrated different acts many Sundays and holidays.
The Virgin of Montserrat
The Virgin of Montserrat, popularly known as “La Moreneta” (the little dark-skinned one) due to the dark colour of her face and hands, is a 12th century Romanesque carving of great beauty and expressiveness. It represents Saint Mary as “God´s Mother” or “Knowledge Throne”. The colour does not come from the wood (it is not dark) or the paint. There are historical testimonies that indicate that the figure has been slowly darkening with the past of time. The image follows the “Virgin on its Majesty” standards, showing Virgin Mary in a frontal position with Jesus sitting on her lap. As an expression of the veneration to the holly image, pilgrims and visitors touch or kiss the right hand of the image. As a result, this right hand has partially lost the original colour. Despite of the successive ups and downs and vicissitudes suffer by the Holy Image (wars, fires, revolts…) has managed to escape undamaged. This was possible thanks to the care and safeguard taken by the monks. These and other moments in history have made the Virgin of Montserrat one of the main symbols of Catalonia. She has a very relevant place in the history of the Catalonian people. The image was crowned patron saint of Catalonia on 1881 by Pope León XIII.
The image is placed in a silver altar piece (paid by the donations of the people) and it is in this place where she receives the daily visit of thousands of pilgrims and faithful.
The museum
The Montserrat Museum is without question, one of the great exposition spaces in both Catalonia and Spain. It keeps more than 1,300 pieces of art from an extensive chronologic period. Some of those pieces are from artists as important as Picasso, Dalí or El Greco. The majority of the pieces in exhibition come from private donations. These donations were made with the purpose of making the art available for all visitors to the sanctuary. The monastery carries out those wishes continuing with the spirit of cultural service.
There are five permanent collections on exhibition:
– Orient Biblical Archaeology: objects representing the cultures of Mesopotamia, Egypt, Cyprus and Palestine.
– Paintings from the 13th to 18th centuries: Luca Giordano, A. Vaccaro, Tiepolo, Berruguete, Caravaggio, El Greco, Morales…
– Iconography dedicated to the “Virgin of Saint Mary of Montserrat”
– Religious gold/silver work
– Modern paintings and sculptures from the 19th to the 20th centuries. It includes pieces of artists such as Dalí, Monet, Sisley, Degas, Pissarro, Chagall, Le Corbusier, Miró, Picasso or Tápies among others.
Opening hours:
From Monday to Friday: from 10.00 am to 4.45 pm
Weekend: from 10.00 am to 5.45 pm
More information: Tph. +(34) 93 877 77 77 – informacio@larsa-montserrat.com
The escolanía
The ‘Escolanía’ (kids´ choir) is one of the most emblematic institutions of Montserrat. Created in the 14th century, from the beginning and under the direction of the monks, it has been at the service of the sanctuary. Therefore, the “Escolanía” is one of the oldest music schools in Europe and that remains open.
With up to 50 boys on school age, the choir sings every day in the basilica, participating in the liturgical celebrations. From Monday to Friday, the “Escolanía” sings the “Salve” and the “Virolai” at 1 pm and the ‘Salve Montserratina’ (anthem of Montserrat) at 6.45 pm (alternating polyphony and Gregorian Chant with the monks choir). On Sundays at noon they are part of the convent mass.
Opening hours and services
Basilica (Opening Hours)
From 7.00 am to 8 pm
Religious Services
Weekdays from Monday to Saturday
7.30 am Lauds
11.00 am Conventual mass
1.00 pm From Monday to Friday: Salve and Virolai by Boys’ Choir
Saturdays: Salve and Virolai sung by pilgrims
6.15 pm Rosary
6.45 pm Vespers
7.30 pm Mass (only on Saturday and eve of precept)
Sundays and holidays
7.30 am Lauds
11.00 am Conventual mass
12.00 pm
Salve and Virolai by Boys’ Choir
1.00 pm Mass
6.15 pm Rosary
6.45 pm Vespers. Salve and Motet by Boys’ choir
Throne of Our Lady
From 8 am to 10.30 am and from 12 pm to 6.25 pm.
Pastoral Coordination Centre
From 9.30 am to 1.00 pm and from 4.00 to 6.00 pm
Museum of Montserrat
From Monday to Friday: From 10.00 am to 4.45 pm
Weekend: From 10.00 am to 5.45 pm
Address: Santuario de Montserrat – 08199 Montserrat, Barcelona (Spain)
To book guided visits, accommodation and restaurants services or another request according to the sanctuary, to contact with the Montserrat Booking Dpt.: reserves@larsa-montserrat.com
To book a mass or to ask for attention and welcome service of a monk, to contact with the Pastoral Coordination Center:
ccpastoral@santuari-montserrat.com –
Ph. +(34) 93 877 77 66
Website Abadia de Montserrat