Montserrat

MOUNTAIN

Montserrat is a mountain near Barcelona, in Catalonia. "Montserrat" literally means "jagged (serrated) mountain" in Catalan. It describes the peculiar aspect of the rock formation, which is visible from a great distance.

MONTSERRAT

The summit of Montserrat is called Sant Jeroni (Saint Jerome) and stands at 1,236 meters (4,055 feet) above sea-level. It is accessible by hiking trails which go from the top entrance to the Sant Joan funicular, the monastery, or the base of the mountain. The Virgin of Montserrat (the black virgin), is Catalonia's favourite virgin and it is located in the sanctuary of the “Mare de Deu de Montserrat”.

MONASTERY

The monastery in the mountain is called Santa María de Montserrat. It belongs to Catalan region of Bages, province of Barcelona. It is at 720 m up on the sea’s level. It’s a symbol for Catalonia and it is a point of pilgrimage for believers and a very important visit for tourists. The monastery is Catalonia's most important religious retreat and groups of young people from Barcelona and all over Catalonia make overnight hikes at least once in their lives to watch the sunrise from the heights of Montserrat.

THE LIBRARY OF MONASTERY

Historical summary There are records showing that the monastery has contained manuscripts ever since its founding in the XI century. Indeed, since the XII century, Montserrat has had its own scriptorium, which saw much activity during the XIV and XV centuries. The current Library as it stands today was founded towards the end of the XIX. In a matter of years, the Library’s collection grew from 15,000 volumes to approximately 150,000.

PLANTS AND TREES

The mountain of Montserrat is overall a mountain of oaks. The climate is Mediterranean, which means there are thicket forests, bushes and lianas. In Montserrat there are white pine trees because they have been planted by men.

ANIMALS

Its fauna is made up mainly of wild cat and wild boar in the forests of oaks, and predatory birds: the sparrow hawk, the eagle or the hawk pilgrim that they are located in the less accessible zones.