ROCKY MOUNTAINS--MONTSERRAT!

Hotel Pulitzer
Room 506
Barcelona, Spain
Saturday, November 5, 2022
Sunny, High 60s  

Marcel, from Viator Tours, arrived to pick us up at 8:30 a.m. for our trip to Montserrat with three other couples.  As we left Barcelona, I noted balconies full of plants, palm trees, boutiques, department stores, car dealerships, mini marts (Supermercat), gas stations, Burger King, Aldis, Five Guys, Starbucks (I swear every block) sycamore trees, parks, the Olympic Stadium that seats 56,000 people (1992) even sex shops.  

As he drove, Marcel filled us with information. He explained that Barcelona has natural borders that limited its size, the sea, the mountains, and a river. Even so, the population is 1.6 million and 3 million in the surrounding area. 

Outside of the city, we could see the mountain range serving as a border ahead of us, about an hour away from Montserrat.  Montserrat’s tallest peak is about 4000 feet high. Lots of climbers take up the challenge of this peak and others.

Montserrat--not the peak

Santa Maria de Montserrat is an abbey of the order of Saint Benedict located on the mountain of Montserrat, about 30 miles north of Barcelona.  The monastery was founded in the 11^th century, though some say area caves were inhabited by hermit monks who lived a solitary life and built 4 chapels as early as the 9^th century. 

In the 19^th century Montserrat was destroyed by Napoleon’s army (1811-1812). The monks returned and in 1858 reconstruction began.  The monastery was completed in 1905.  About 70 monks live there today. 

The top of Montserrat

Entrance to the church itself

Opposite the monastery and church

Another view 

The nave--above the altar

The Black Madonna

Hanging lights in the church

One of several stained glass windows

Looking toward the altar and the Black Madonna

Note: I was not allowed to use a flash on the camera

Vaulted ceiling

Stained glass window

Closeup of the altar

Right of altar

Left of the altar

Catalonian girls performing outside the church/monastery

The Faithful delivering fruits and vegetables from nearby villages

So beautifully arranged--there were about 6 carts full of these donations

Nearby is a Benedictine Abbey that houses about 30 nuns. I admit that I did not understand all that Marcel reported—he spoke of the Black Madonna of Montserrat, and I wasn’t totally understanding the history.  Information on the Internet was scarce. Thousands of people make a pilgrimage to the Montserrat Abbey to touch the Black Madonna.

 The rocky mountains were intriguing and the road was steep with winding switchbacks. At least there were guardrails!  There were several religious gift shops, two cafeterias, and about 5500 visitors a day!

TK opted to take the funicular to the top of one of the peaks—he wanted to do something different. My leg told me no.  More in TK’s Takes!   TK's photos:

 

The Pyrenees--the border with France

TK's ticket/funicular

Steps to the funicular

Looking up the funicular

Looking down from the funicular

Can you see the camel?

Apparently many visitors climb this rock formaton for a photo op

When we returned to our hotel, TK and I walked more streets and visited more shops—we thought we might eat at the gourmet cafeteria at El Corte Ingles, but it was extremely crowded.  We walked back to Hotel Pulitzer and ate at their restaurant. 

Best oil and vinegar!

Salad of course

Gnocchi 

Hazelnut cheesecake--very creamy

The meal was good, 25 euros each. We both had gnocchi, but TK had a croissant drizzled with chocolate and ice cream for dessert. 

Now it is time to get into a cruising mindset.

TK’s Takes:  There were more people at Montserrat than he thought there would be. By the time we were leaving, the parking was so limited, someone had to leave before another car could be let in—that meant that cars were backed down the mountain at least a mile.  He said he did not think things would be so crowded this time of year.

He had no sensation that he was riding straight up the mountain, the funicular must be leveled just right.  The car held 62 people, so he did not see much, it was like riding in a subway.

There are so many people walking around Barcelona, he thinks it must be like New York City on New Year's Eve.

 TK: 11,000 steps

Janie: 9,300