Montserrat (Spain)

[[file:Muntanya_de_Montserrat_banner.jpg|1280px|Halal Travel to Montserrat}} Montserrat1 - Santa Maria de Montserrat monastery

For the Caribbean island, see Montserrat.

Montserrat is a multi-peaked mountain in Catalonia, Spain. Santa Maria de Montserrat monastery situated high up in the unusual rock mountain is very popular among Catalans, and Catholic pilgrims come from far and wide to see the Black Madonna. Abbey of Montserrat 02 - Abbey of Montserrat Escolania de Montserrat - L'Escolania inside the basilica

Montserrat (Spain) Halal Explorer

The monastery is Catalonia's most important religious retreat and groups of young people from Barcelona and all over Catalonia make overnight hikes at least once in their lives to watch the sunrise from the heights of Montserrat.

At 1236 meters (4055 ft) above the valley floor, Montserrat is the highest point of the Catalan lowlands, and stands central to the most populated part of Catalonia. The stone monolith is ideally located to play an important role in the cultural and spiritual life of Catalonia.

Travel to Montserrat (Spain)

Montserrat is approx 48 kilometers (30 miles) away from Barcelona, and is easily accessible by train, vehicle and bus. Most public transit options will take you to the Montserrat-Aeri or Monistrol de Montserrat terminals at the foot of the mountains, where you transfer to cable vehicle or rack and pinion train to reach Montserrat and its monastery, high up in the mountains; it is also accessible by road. If you plan to take the train from Barcelona, decide before you leave Barcelona whether you will take the cable vehicle or rack railway for the second stage of the journey because they leave from different train stops. You can buy a combined, round trip ticket for both the train and either the cable vehicle or the rack railway when you depart from Barcelona, at a discount from buying individual tickets for each segment of the journey.

• Rack Railway - €5.70 one-way, €9.10 round-trip
• Aeri de Montserrat - Cable Car - €7 one-way, €10 round-trip

Once you have arrived at the monastery and there are additional trains that will take you to the top of the mountain ( Funicular de Sant Joan]) or lower down to Santa Cova ( Funicular de la Santa Cova]).

By train and cable vehicle

Travelling from Barcelona, take Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat (R5 Line) train from Plaça d'Espanya to Montserrat-Aeri. Trains run every hour, combined return adult ticket costs €18.80. Trans Montserrat tickets for adult costs €24.40.

From Montserrat-Aeri, take the cable vehicle up to the monastery.

By train and rack railway

Similar to the previous option, take the same R5 Line train from Plaça d'Espanya, Barcelona, but travel to the stop that follows Montserrat-Aeri, which is called Monistrol de Montserrat. From there, you will change for the rack railway (also called the funicular, or the Cremallera de Montserrat). The rack railway uses the same train platform as the R5. Combined return adult ticket cost €21.00 in May 2018. Travel duration for the R5 is around 90 minutes each way, and the funicular adds another 20 minutes of travel. The rack railway makes one stop en route to the monastery, at Monistrol-Vila. When returning, ensure you get off at the second stop, Monistrol de Montserrat. Last funicular runs at 19:35 downhill.

Travel on a Bus in Montserrat (Spain)

You have two options by bus:

• Autocares Julia leaves Barcelona Sants daily at 09:15 and takes you straight to the Monastry's Plaza del Funicular. Return trip departs at 18:00 Jun–September or 17:00 Oct–May. The trip is 1hr 30min and costs €5.10 each way.
• Bages Express departs Barcelona once or twice hourly from the Ronda de la Universitat, on the east corner of the Plaça de la Universitat. It takes you to Monistrol de Montserrat, where you must transfer to the rack railway. Travel duration is about the same as the train and if you are in the old town of Barcelona, it may be easier to get to the stop than use the metro to get to the Plaça d'Espanya station. Cost is €5.10 one-way to Monistrol de Montserrat. Timetable on the Bages Express website.] The service from the main station is always only one rack railway train per hour, but may be a service every twenty minutes from the rack railway's stop at Monistrol-Vila, so although it is a bit further to walk, you are likely to be better off going through the town there rather than crossing the bridge to the main station.

By vehicle and cable car

The cable vehicle is convenient for those arriving by car. Parking at the Montserrat-Aeri railway station is easy and free. Take the cable vehicle up for €7 (€10 return). The trains arrive every hour from Barcelona, so there will be queues at those times, but it is quiet just before they arrive. If there is a long queue, it is worth visiting the El Rincon cafe. Go though the tunnel, turn left and follow the platform to the end.

By vehicle and rack railway

There is a very large free vehicle park at Monistrol-Vila, on the north side of Monistrol de Montserrat. As well as being cheaper than the cable vehicle and the stop at the top is slightly closer to the monastery and the other rack railways, and the last train down is later than the last cable car.

Get Around

The only way to get around the Montserrat monastery complex is on foot (it's not too big though!). However, if visiting the Santa Cova there is a funicular which copes with the steepest part, although its lower stop is a bit far away from the Santa Cova itself. It is very useful on the way back as it's uphill.

There's also another funicular up to Sant Jeroni with great scenic views, however it's very crowded and can stop running quite early. The walking route down from the Sant Joan station is the route the staff use to drive cars up there, so it is an easy - if long - walk down.

What to See

Monastery and the Black Virgin of Montserrat

Santa Maria de Montserrat is a Benedictine abbey which hosts the Virgin of Montserrat, and the Publicacions de l'Abadia de Montserrat, a publishing house and the oldest press in the world, still running, with the first book published in 1499.

The Virgin of Montserrat is a statue of the Virgin Mary and infant Christ venerated at the Santa Maria de Montserrat monastery. Virgin of Montserrat (the black virgin), is Catalonia's favourite saint, and is located in the sanctuary of the Mare de Deu de Montserrat.

It is one of the black Madonnas of Europe, hence its familiar Catalan name, la Moreneta ("The little dark-skinned one"). Believed by some to have been carved in Jerusalem in the early days of the church, it is a Romanesque sculpture in wood from the late 12th century. Legend has it that the Benedictine monks could not move the statue to construct their monastery, choosing to instead build around it. The statue's sanctuary is located at the rear of the chapel, where an altar of Gold surrounds the icon, and is now a site of pilgrimage.

In 1844, Pope Leo XIII declared the virgin of Montserrat patroness of Catalonia.

L'Escolania choir school is a boys' choir of sopranos and altos based at the Benedictine abbey Santa Maria de Montserrat. When the repertory requires it and they are accompanied by the Montserrat Chapel Choir, composed of old choirboys and the monks of the Ministry Chapel Choir.

L'Escolania sings every day in the Basilica of Montserrat, often to a great affluence of pilgrims and visitors from all over the world. The midday Salve has become, over the past decades and the most visited daily act of the Sanctuary. The Escolania, Montserrat’s Boys’ Choir, is one of the oldest in Europe, and performs during religious ceremonies and communal prayers in the basilica.

The Museu de Montserrat is located at the plaza outside the basilica (the main outer plaza, not the smaller inner plaza). It contains a nice selection of religious art from Egyptian times through modern art, including works by Chagall, Dali, and other famous artists. Entrance is €7.00, and the museum takes about one to two hours to visit.

Panorama

Enjoy the fantastic views over the local landscape. This is best done by taking the Funicular de Sant Joan to the top.

Top Muslim Travel Tips for Montserrat (Spain)

Pla de les Bruixes - View from above

Montserrat's highest point, Sant Jeroni, can be visited by a footpath from the topstation of the funicular Sant Joan. From Sant Joan, almost all of Catalonia can be seen and on a clear day the island of Majorca is visible.

• Take the cable vehicle ride up - definitely not for the faint hearted, this cable vehicle is at some height!
• Hike around the peaks. Leave either from the monastery or from the top of the Sant Joan funicular. The main trails are well marked, but still do pick up a map at the information desk first.

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Montserrat (Spain)

As you exit the rack railway or cable vehicle and there is a fairly large curio shop across the way that carries a variety of tourist items, including Catalonian Olive oil, Chocolates, Colas, books, jewelry, clothing, religious articles, and toys, as well as monastery-related goods such as recordings of the choir and guidebooks. There is another gift shop at the entrance to the museum that carries different items.

Halal Food & Restaurants in Montserrat (Spain)

Restaurants in Montserrat are limited and expensive but of high quality and good meal choices (cafeteria style). It's a great idea to bring your own lunch, especially if you plan to walk away from the central area or go up the funicular to the top of the mountain. There is no restaurant at the very top of the mountain, although there is a cafe adjoining gift shop where the rack railway and cable cars terminate at their upper ends (at the bottom of the Sant Jeroni and Santa Cova funiculars). If you're coming from Barcelona, a good plan is to get up early and head to La Boqueria and the big open market near the head of Las Ramblas, to stock up on sandwiches ingredients and Snacks - bread, Cheese, Meat, olives, fruit cocktail, etc. Pack it up and bring it with you.

The marketplace also offers many delectable homemade goods sold by local residents, including canned honey, pastries, preserves, cured Meat and Candies. Also what can be purchased is 2 cheeses that is provided only in Montserrat.

• El Rincon cafe and bar Montserrat-Aeri railway station 41.59170, 1.85362 Off the northern end of the active platform - Simple and outdoor cafe serving freshly prepared Snacks, sandwiches and paella.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Montserrat (Spain)

Montserrat (Spain) - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Montserrat (Spain), is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Montserrat (Spain). This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Montserrat (Spain) and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Montserrat (Spain). The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Montserrat (Spain). Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations inMontserrat (Spain): A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Montserrat (Spain).

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Montserrat (Spain): A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Montserrat (Spain), allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Montserrat (Spain).

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Montserrat (Spain), ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Montserrat (Spain), enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Montserrat (Spain) and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Montserrat (Spain), stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Montserrat (Spain), a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Montserrat (Spain) without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Montserrat (Spain) is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Montserrat (Spain).

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Montserrat (Spain) is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Montserrat (Spain), please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Montserrat (Spain) Media: info@ehalal.io

Stay Safe

Although the town of Montserrat is relatively safe and tourist-friendly, it can be very dangerous for hiking as much of it is uncharted woodland. If you are traveling with a group do not stray from them if you decide to go hiking. If you find out that someone has been separated from your group, summon the local authorities. It is best not to wander off the paths - there are steep drops, even close to the funicular top station.

Travel Next

• Colònia Güell is a tiny settlement famous for its modernist architecture, on the railroad line to Barcelona.

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