Montserrat (mountain)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Montserrat is a mountain near Barcelona, in Catalonia, in Spain. It is the site of a Benedictine abbey, which hosts the Virgin of Montserrat sanctuary and which is identified by some with the location of the Holy Grail in Arthurian myth.
The name "Montserrat" literally means "jagged mountain" and is used because of the peculiar aspect of the edifice, which is visible from a great distance. It is composed of strikingly pink conglomerate, a form of sedimentary rock. It is very popular with climbers.
The abbey can be reached by road, by cable car, or by the Montserrat Rack Railway from Monistrol in the valley below, which in turn can be reached by Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya train from Barcelona's Plaça d'Espanya station. From the abbey a funicular railway goes up to the top of the mountain, where there are various abandoned hovels in the cliff faces that were previously the abodes of reclusive monks.
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[edit] Summit
The summit of Montserrat is called Sant Jeroni (Saint Jerome) and stands at 1,236 meters (4.055 feet) above sea-level. It is accessbible by hiking trails which connect from the top entrance to the Sant Joan funicular, the monastery, or the base of the mountain. From the summit, one can see in all directions (360 degrees) for many miles.
[edit] Escolania
Montserrat is also home to one of the oldest boys' choir (Escolania) in Europe. The choir performs in the basilica on weekdays at 1300h, except in the summer and during Christmas holidays.
[edit] Notes
The island of Montserrat in the Caribbean Sea was named after the mountain by Christopher Columbus in 1493.
Montserrat or Maria de Montserrat is a popular name for girls in Catalonia and several other parts of Spain. The name is commonly abbreviated to Montse. The 27 April is Montserrat's Day.
In the computer game Lionheart Montserrat is mentioned, and you have to visit the abbey to protect a sacred relic.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- LARSA Montserrat How to arrive, where to eat, general services
- Shrine of Our Lady of Montserrat History, description and photos
- Photographs of Montserrat and Catalonia
- "Patronage and Piety: Montserrat and the Royal House of Medieval Catalonia-Aragon" Detailed history of the abbey (PDF)
