Montserrat

Montserrat is a mountain range where a group of Benedict monks have a monastery. You don't get to see the actual monastery, there is the Montserrat Basilica, la Moreneta (reliquary of the Virgin of Montserrat) the patron saint of Catalonia, l'Escolania de Monserrrat ( a famous school for choir boys), a Museum, and a national park.

This is the Rack Train station, the tourist are put on this so you can get views as you transported up to the monastery. Views are beautiful but similar to the ones from the monestary. You take your tour bus on the way back down.

To the far right is the entrance to the atrium where the Montserrat Basilica entrance is located. Not sure what the other buildings are except the little flat building that is about the same height as the wall is the entrance to the museum..

Front of the Basilica, the 12 figures are the apostles.

A garden for the monks we got to see because of a detour of the choir boys boarding school tour.

This is the entrance/exit for the school. I didn't take any photos of the actual school because it is pretty ordinary.

Sort of a locker room for the monks where they change their robes and prepare for church services. These are lockers.

The ceiling of the monk's locker room.

Main alter of the Basilica.

Photo of the ornate decorations around La Moreneta.

La Moreneta, the patron saint of Catalonia. You are supposed to touch the ball the statue is holding (that part is exposed) and pray or something. This is the main draw for going to the Basilica.

The chapel behind La Moreneta, you can see the backside of the statue.

Taking a hike up to St. Miguel's Cross. There are several hiking paths in the park, this is the one I could get done with my limited time.

Panoramic view of St. Miguel's Cross and Montserrat Monestary on the left.

Panoramic view of Montserrat from St. Miguel's Cross.

Another panoramic view from St. Miguel's Cross.