Abbey of Montserrat
The Abbey of Montserrat is one of the most famous pilgrimage centers of Christianity. Located 10 kilometers from Barcelona, was created by Benedict XIII. It is home to about 80 Benedictine monks, which serve the function of keeping the place as a center of pilgrimage and prayer for the believers who come there. Monks live together with children who make up the oldest boys’ choir in Europe.
The mountain on which stands the Abbey has an oval shape 10 km long and 5 km wide. Was recovered from the Arabs in 876 and built up to 5 Christian shrines. This mountain was declared a Natural Park in 1987. Added to this, in your library can find books and a unique museum with works by artists like El Greco, Dali and Picasso.
A typical figure of the place is the Virgin of Montserrat, which is carved out of poplar and is representative of romantic art. Its history dates back to 880 AD, when shepherds in the neighborhood of Montserrat was discovered inside caves. By order of the bishop from the time you take charge of the cathedral, however, due to their weight was placed in a nearby chapel, staying there until the subsequent construction of the Benedictine abbey of Montserrat.
Added to this, the place is famous for having been visited by several people who were later made saints, among the highlights found in S. Pedro Nolasco, S. Vicente Ferrer and Ignatius of Loyola.