Spain Day 17a - Santa Maria de Montserrat Monastery

 The Santa Maria de Montserrat Monastery is a functional monastery that also serves as a pilgrim and tourist destination. It features great views, history, religion, and art. After the black Madonna was found in this area in 880, hermitages were made until this monastery was founded in the 11th century. A basilica was constructed in the 16th century, façade built in 1901, and rebuilt after the Spanish Civil War. During Franco's era, dissident artists and politicians would stay here and was kept under watch by Franco loyalists. It was later seen as a symbol of Catalan nationalism when mass was said in the Catalan language in 1947, against Franco's orders. They also published in Catalan in secret until Franco's regime ended shortly after his death.

The way up is walking, train funicular, or cable car. We chose the cable car.

There are buildings for visiting pilgrims and tourists as well as staff.

The basilica.

There are trails to walk on and visit various shrines, but they were closed due to hot and dry conditions.