Nothing prepared me for the beauty that is Montserrat, a magical place where art meets history and religion, a 
cultural crossroads and a sacred location imbibed with an aura of the divine.
Never mind the thousands of tourists lined up to kiss the Black Madonna statue - you kiss the glass container where the almost thousand year old wooden sculpture is preserved. Montserrat maintains it's air of inspiration and sacredness in spite of the large crowds.
The drive itself takes you to another dimension; it's almost like you are ascending into Heaven. High up towards the sky, the monoliths piercing through the clouds, revealing the churches and buildings appearing one with the mountain. It is uplifting and eerie all at the same time.
There are several walking trails cutting through the mountains. Every 20-30 meters you have a work of art to admire. It is an incredible outside museum of the highest caliber. Everyone who is anyone in the art world has at least a piece of work exposed there. My travel guides did not reveal the amazing array of art present here. Wow! It just took my breath away!
One of the trails leads to the top of the mountain where Legend has it that the real Madonna, Mary Mother of 
Christ, made an apparition during the 12-th century. The basilica built on the exact spot where the shepherds saw the vision of the divine Madonna is small and modest, but it reverberates with the echoes of prayers and a certain energy of life(see the uppermost picture on the right). There is a large room where people bring offerings for the miracles bestowed upon them by the Madonna, or the miracles they ask for. It is very emotional to look at the offerings, alongside the pictures and the thousands of letters. There are crutches there, baby clothes, ultrasound pictures, soccer balls, even a toupee.
Montserrat touched and inspired me. If you have a chance to go and see it, do so! You will never regret it. It is only about an hour away from Barcelona.
Your Myrtle Beach Real Estate Connection, Mirela Monte
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It was so pleasant writing this blog and re-living my Montserrat experience.
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Good Friday to you!
Mirela...I've been to Spain more than once but have never been to Montserrat although I've been as close as Barcelona. Did make it to the Costa Brava though.
If I go back to Spain again, I'll put this spot on my list. Definitely!
Thanks for sharing the great photos.
Kathleen
KATHLEEN: It's definitely worth it! I'd like to go back. The "art trails" are incredibly beautiful and the feeling there is unparalleled. There is something divine in the air...
BARBARA-JO: Thank you! I hope you had a great Easter yourself! Christmas and Easter are my favorite holidays.
Last summer, in July. I was going to drive up to the mountains for the July 4-th weekend, but the weather at Lake Lure, where I was going was too hot. I got on the Internet and went around the World trying to figure out a cooler place to spend the weekend. It was cooler in Barcelona, so instead of Lake Lure, we went to Barcelona, a mere two days after my Internet research (do you think I'm SPONTANEOUS?).
We spent the week in Europe, touring Barcelona, Costa Brava, Bordeaux (France), Biarritz, San Sebastian, Montserrat, Cadaques. We had a blast! ...And no, it wasn't cooler in Barcelona, after all!!!
I just had to re-visit this blog. I loved Monserrat and just looking at pictures brings back fond memories. If you have the chance to see it, DO! You will never forget the feeling you'll find there...
Mirela, What a beautiful post. Montserat is breathtaking. Thanks for sharing.
Bob: Thank you! I'm glad you liked it! It really is a magical place, unlike any I've ever seen.
Liz: I was there last summer. It's about an hour away from Barcelona, so any time you're there you should visit Montserrat.
What a beautiful place to visit. Even more beautiful is your explanation of why it points people to God.
Mirela-
Wonderful post and so full of information and beautiful images. Thank you and I now have another place on my list of places to visit!
Bryant: Thank you! I'm so glad you like it and you plan on visiting it. You will not be disappointed!
Brian: I sincerely appreciate that remark! In a world such as ours, it sure helps to have some soul food... I recharge when I am able to connect like that... You see that which you seek...