Hi...
Since I've seen a lot of posts asking about details for a visit to Montserrat, I've decided to create a sort of 'article' which I'm posting as a separate thread, so those interested can have a full picture of what a visit to Montserrat can be. I've had to cut it into several chunks as per the limitation on the number of characters in each post. I know it can be a long read, but I hope it can be helpful to some.
About MONTSERRAT...
First see a short video to get an idea.
The Monastery of Montserrat is one of the most famous monasteries in the Catholic world here in Europe, as well as a centre for pilgrims. For many tourists, a trip to Montserrat is the highlight of their visit. Montserrat is a spectacularly beautiful Benedictine monk mountain retreat about one hour North West from Barcelona by train. Another highlight of the visit to the monastery is to listen to the famous choir boy performances of Gregorian chants and other genres of religious choral music. The performances can be heard free of charge in the Basilica at 13:00 (check schedules as they vary). Sample.
But Montserrat is much more, its name is in fact, the name of a very distinct multi-peaked mountain that literally means "saw (serrated, like the common handsaw) mountain" in Catalan, the local language. It describes its peculiar aspect with a multitude of rock formations which are visible from a great distance. The mountain is composed of strikingly pink conglomerate, a form of sedimentary rock. Montserrat is a National Park and one of the reasons to visit is indeed to hike in one of its many trails and experience nature at its best, some are short and easy for everyone old and young alike to participate while others are geared towards more avid hikers.
For a glimpse of what Montserrat is really all about --- I have to admit that the spectacular soundtrack makes it for a more dramatic video, lol!