My recent visit to Europe a while back included a stop in Barcelona. I'd wanted to go there for decades. Even had coworkers there who's offered to let me stay with them. That never worked out, so I was thrilled that I made it a stop on my way back to the states.
One of the promoted, "gotta see" things is Santa Maria de Montserrat, an abbey high in the mountains and some 50km northeast of the city. The name translates to serrated mountain, fitting for the way this ridge line location looks from afar. The abbey is tucked into the majestic rocks, with spectacular views of the lands below.
Structures were first built there in 1025. Rebuilds and refurbishments have occurred over time, with major work done in the 19th and 20th centuries. The site includes a hotel, enabling visitors to potentially take in sunrises over the eastern Spain coastline.
Legend has it that the statue of the Black Madonna was found at the site in 880. Various hermitages materialized, eventually being centralized under the Abbot Oliba of Ripoli. Napoleon burned it down twice during invasions around 1811, and stole many of its treasures. Restotration began mid-century, with accelerated efforts around its 1000 year celebration. But war devastated the site again as the Spanish Civil War ravaged the country.
Since the 1940s, it has been viewed as a symbol of Catalan nationalism. The Catalan region of Spain still sees itself as fiercely independent, and their flag flies proudly throughout their lands.
The site is very accessible via car, bus, rail or foot. I chose to take the bus, so that I could enjoy the ride, the views, and the company of those around me. Most were visiting this site for the first time, while the few that had shared their insights and favorite spots to visit.
We expected to find an array of statues and memorials, which we did. My favorite were the inverted ones, like the one shown here. It's a depiction found throughout religious sites throughout the Catalan region. I love the introspective feeling I get from them.
There are votive candle locations, as often found in Catholic settings. These are tucked into carved out recesses along the mountain walls, reflective of the longevity of the site. That feeling, the sense of being part of something that will stand the test of time, exists all around. It's a welcome absorption, even when I hiked to a cross mounted on a precipice overlooking the valley below.
In conclusion, I highly recommend making a visit if you're in the area. I find it a testimony to man's faith in mankind, and the importance of spirituality, regardless of belief.
(All images are property of the author, except the Black Madonna, which was taken from Wikipedia and is sourced from https://www.flickr.com/photos/eltb/3227926254/ and free to use when acknowledged.)
