Collage of pictures Carpenter's Hall, Philadelphia PA Covered bridge in St. Johann Austria Jeepney in jeepney factory in the Phillipines Brussels Belgium Angra, Portugal (Azores Islands) Windmill west of Amsterdam Vianden Luxembourg Pompeii, Italy with Mt Vesuvius Neuschwanstein (King Ludwig's Castle)
Montserrat, Spain
(January 2006 )
Post card of the Mountains where Momtserrat is located
   

Discover Montserrat! It is a National Park (1987) dominated by an Abbey nestled high above the mountains. Legend has it that three children founded the wooden statue of the Virgin Mary and her child at the Holy Grotto (Santa Cova). The city decided to build a monastery and a basilica to house the Virgen De Montserrat (Virgin of Monserrat).

Picture of Centre De Coordinacio Pastoral building at the main paltform of Montserrat. The community is made up of around 80 Benedictine monks. They follow the rule of Saint Benedict which was established in the 6th century.

View of the San Joan Funicular railway going all the up the mountain for a spectacular view. Only one car can go up at a time. The other car is actually coming back down.

View of the narrow railway tracks as if it is going to infinity. We were pretty high up already, but this little ride brings you even higher about 907meters. Can you hear your ears pop?

   

At San Joan funicular - the view was breath taking despite the hazy day. I bet it would be even more spectacular in nicer weather.

We could not believe what people can do at the top, this is a small church perched on a small mound at the San Joan funicular.

   

View of the valley from San Joan funicular stop. You could almost touch these mountain peaks.

More scenic views on top of San Joan. There were old buildings almost embedded into the rock formations.
   

View of the monastery from San Joan funicular. Montserrat translates as "Peaked Mountains." Our Lady of Montserrat was proclaimed patroness of Catalonia in 1881.

Dave with the santuary of Monserrat Basilica as a back drop. The construction of the Bailica commenced in the 16th century. Many pilgrims and visitors make this sanctuary one of their top top must visit sites in Barcelona.

   

Monserrat is about an hour north-west of Barcelona. It is a little city in itself, equiped with an administrative building, a museum, a hotel accomodation, shops, and restaurants. The community of Montserrat is accessible by train from Barcelona Metro connection. Then a rack railway or cable car will transport you up to the city in the sky.