Montserrat Tour from Barcelona: Guide, Exclusive Sacristy Entry, Brunch, Liquor Tasting

Start your full day trip from Barcelona in a comfortable bus towards the mountain of Montserrat which rises majestically up to 4,051 feet (1,236 meter).

Montserrat is a multi-peaked rocky range formed of sedimentary rocks shaped by the wind and rain. The popular imagination has seen human and animal shapes in some of these peaks, giving them names and inventing legends to explain their fantastic origins. This trip to Montserrat will give you the opportunity to enjoy the wonderful and breathtaking views of the Montserrat Mountain, one of nature’s special creations.

You will visit the Royal Basilica of Montserrat, which holds the famous 12th century Romanesque carving of Verge Moreneta (the Black Madonna). You will be able to see this famous statue of the Black Madonna from a distance. The Benedict sanctuary of Montserrat was founded in 1025 and provides a mystical backdrop for the Virgin of Montserrat, the patron saint of Catalonia who is enshrined in the monastery's Royal Basilica. The little monastery soon began to receive pilgrims and visitors who contributed to the spread of stories of miracles and wonders performed by the Virgin. Today, Montserrat has been modernized to continue attending the pilgrims needs, one thousand years after it was originally founded.

You will visit the audio visual exhibition about the history and creation of Montserrat, afterwards we will take you on a short walk to the hermitage of Saint Benet, dedicated to the founder of the Benedictines, St. Benedict of Nursia, who lived during the fifth century and founded Montecassino the first monastic center in Europe.

The Escolanía of Montserrat is one of the oldest boys’ choirs in Europe (XIV Century). On some days the children's choir sings in the monastery and so you may be fortunate enough to enjoy one of their delightful performances. Their timeframe is subjected to the school calendar and special events of the choir and monastery.

Around 01.15pm the bilingual guide available in English and Spanish will take you to an exclusive visit to the Sacristy that was built by the architect Francesc Folguera and which consists of a hall, a spacious room with cupboards and a small apse. In the vestibule, there is a sarcophagus and a statue, a bronze of Joaquim Ros, of the Venerable Friar Josep of Saint Benet, a monk who died in 1723 with fame of saint. The whole vault is decorated in a concrete idealism style by Josep Obiols with biblical allegories of the Eucharist and representations of Christmas, Easter and Pentecost. The mahogany cabinets on the side walls have marquetry panels - also designed by Josep Obiols - representing saints and characters linked to Montserrat. The whole set is of great beauty and very balanced.

Towards the end of the tour we will go to a special space outdoors, where we will enjoy the brunch. Then, you will have free time to taste the typical liquors of Montserrat or to take the funicular (not included).