Euroguides - essential for visitors and travellers to Europe - Spain - Costa Brava

There is an unusually-shaped mountain in the heart of Catalonia made from huge slabs of grey rock. At the top of this spectacular massif stands a statue of the Virgin of Montserrat, the patron saint of Catalonia. This nature reserve is covered with pine and holm-oak woods and is home to squirrels, boars and genets, among others. There are many different itineraries and guided visits that will help you discover its most hidden spots.
At the peak is the majestic sanctuary dedicated to 'La Morenata', the 12th-century Romanesque-style statue of the Virgin Mary. The architectural site comprises various squares and a basilica originally built in the 16th century and subsequently rebuilt in the 19th, with a hostel for pilgrims and visitors. Close by is the Benedictine monastery with its beautiful chapterhouse and neo-Romanesque cloister and refectory, refurbished in 1925 by the architect Puig i Cadafalch. It is also home to works by artists such as Picasso, Dalí and El Greco.
Also open are the New Audiovisual Space and the Open-Air Museum where –thanks to an audioguide– visitors can see the Modernist sculptures and the Santa Cova (a chapel attached to the rock in which the image of the Virgin was said to have been found).
Montserrat is one of the most popular and unique treasures that Catalonia has to offer. First and foremost a sanctaury, Montserrat is of religious and historical significance. Once the place of a religious sighting, it has now come to symbolise one of the most important sites for religious pilgrimage in the world. The Monastery's unique location at the very heart of Montserrat Mountain also ensures that is is an ideal location for nature lovers - the geology, flora and fauna of the natural park mean that you can while away hours on the many walks that begin at the Monastery.
With over two million visitors each year, Montserrat has adapted to cater to the needs of large groups of tourists. Alongside the monastery and basilica there are two museums, a selection of shops and eateries and guided tour services around the area. The main body of Montserrat Monastery has been well adapted to ensure that it is manageable to get around if you are a limited mobility traveller. There are also convenient links to the remote Monastery by car, train, rack railway and cable car.