Monestir de Montserrat: Monastery of Montserrat

Hard to imagine people coming up into these mountains, but easy to understand why they stayed, this is the church, service, and private tour by one of the monks of the Church, chapel, and the Black Madonna.

Church facade meets the building that encloses the entry courtyard

The entry-courtyard...very Michelangelo

A main hall on the upper floor of the monastery overlooking the courtyard

How gorgeous is this church?!!!!!! There is almost too much for the eyes to take in

This shot was taken from the side of the church looking through the arcade to the opposite arcade.

I believe this is an early Gaudi chapel. It is located at the rear of the Basilica and is named for the Moreneta, the Black Madonna sculpture (whose rear is above the arch in the photo). She is a point of pilgrimage to Montserrat, along with the Holy Grotto where Virgin Mary is said to have appeared.

Looking back into the chapel from the hall

Ridiculous detailing! The left part is the arch of a doorway carved out of stone, and the right is a painting.

World-Reknowned Montserrat Boys' Choir

(they were amazing!)

Ceiling detail of the Astrologic Signs in one of the main gathering halls of the monastery

The upper level of the monastery complex

CUArch + Christi...where was Bri?

Yea-it's incredible...AND...cue lunchtime at the top of the mountain!