Mysterious Montserrat. Spain will not leave you indifferent

In the heart of Catalonia is an unusual view of the mountain range of Montserrat. Spain is rich in beautiful places with an original culture and traditions, but this peak is special. Every year it is visited by hundreds of thousands of tourists and pilgrims, throughout its history many great historical figures have visited here. Frozen huge idols, locks of wet sand, the teeth of a bloodthirsty monster - all this is Mount Montserrat. Spain can hardly boast a more visited place than this.

In itself, the mountain attracts attention, because its weathered and bare rocks are an excellent place for mountaineer training. In 1987, Montserrat was given the status of a national natural park in order to preserve a unique animal and plant world, a local landscape. The name of the summit from the Spanish is translated as "closed mountain". Perhaps this is due to the unusual shape of the Montserrat Ridge. Spain annually receives millions of tourists, and a significant part of them come to Catalonia. The mountain was known even in pre-Christian times and was highly respected by local residents.

A special status she received in 1025, when the abbot Oliba built a monastery here. Although before it on the mountain sites were built Catholic churches-chapels dating from the IX century. Oliba was a talented architect, he made a great contribution to the development of Catalan architecture, replenishing it with elements of the Lombard style. Since that time, the monastery was rebuilt several times, as it was destroyed during wars, the last buildings were erected as early as the beginning of the 20th century.

To date, there are three ways to climb to the top of Montserrat. Spain is a tourist country that cares about the comfort of foreign guests, therefore created all the conditions for a comfortable climb to the monastery. Believers climb and descend on foot, they ask for forgiveness for their sins and beg for help to the patroness of Catalonia - the Black Madonna. Montserrat can be reached by car: there is an excellent large and free parking near the foot. But the best way is a train and funicular. Choosing it, the tourist quickly gets to the right place and can view the neighborhood from a bird's eye view.

What, in addition to the majestic beauty, is so attractive to tourists and simply holidaymakers of Mount Montserrat? Spain is a deeply religious Catholic country, so here they are very sensitive to icons, statues, frescoes or structures. In 880 in one of the caves of the mentioned mountain was found a statue of the Black Madonna with the baby. At this point a chapel was later built, and the clergy were transferred to the temple erected a little higher. Nobody can say how this happened, but the statue constantly returned to its original place, where it was finally left. This very shrine is the main subject of pilgrimage.

Black Madonna helps find a chosen one, create a strong family and experience the joy of motherhood, so many girls, women and young couples go back to Montserrat. Spain (how to get to the patroness of Catalonia, locals and guides will prompt) will not leave anyone indifferent, this country has a rich history, unique culture and traditions. Visiting the mountains of Montserrat, the monastery and the bow to the Black Madonna will necessarily leave only positive memories.