Description of the attraction
The Benedictine monastery was founded on a narrow mountain terrace at an altitude of 725 meters in the 9th century. During the reign of Abbot Oliva in the 11th century, the monastery was significantly expanded. In 1811, during the war with Napoleon, the monastery was badly destroyed, but in 1844 it was revived and is still a functioning monastery today.
Montserrat Monastery is the main shrine of Catalonia, a place of pilgrimage for Christians from many countries of the world. It contains the image of the patroness of Catalonia - La Moreneta, a wooden statue of the Virgin Mary with the Child. According to legend, the statue was sculpted by the apostle Luke, and the apostle Peter brought it to Spain in 50. Scientists date the statue to the 12th century.
The facade of the cathedral of the monastery overlooks the square of Santa Maria. The walls of the temple have been preserved since the 16th century, and the neo-Renaissance facade decorated with sculptures was erected in 1900. The magnificent interior of the temple was painted by Catalan artists. The altar is decorated with bright enamel. A sacred statue of the Virgin Mary is kept in a glass chapel behind the altar. Every day at one o'clock in the church, the boys' choir sings, which is considered the oldest in Europe.
Piazza Santa Maria is flanked by Gothic galleries, home to the convent's museum - a collection of works of art, including paintings by El Greco, Picasso and Dali.
The funicular connects the monastery with the caves, hermitages and chapels located in the vicinity of the monastery.
