{"id":34901,"date":"2023-04-01T18:51:00","date_gmt":"2023-04-01T16:51:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/travesiapirenaica.com\/?p=34901"},"modified":"2025-11-26T20:49:35","modified_gmt":"2025-11-26T19:49:35","slug":"montserrat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/travesiapirenaica.com\/en\/montserrat\/","title":{"rendered":"Montserrat: hiking, spirituality, nature and more"},"content":{"rendered":"

The rocky massif of Montserrat is visible from many points in Catalonia. This massif, which forms part of the Catalan pre-coastal mountain range, is made up of rocky spires that popular knowledge has given curious names to, peaks or vantage points with incredible views, some with interesting access through eroded channels, impossible slopes and places that are a haven of peace just a stone's throw from the city of Barcelona.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Geology and nature<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the distant past, the site was occupied by a large delta, where pebbles settled, which later agglomerated into a sandy matrix and calcareous cement, giving rise to the geological base material, the conglomerate. After some time, movements of the earth's crust raised a large mass of conglomerate, which would become the base of the mountain. Here, with picks and shovels, the geological agents eroded and weathered<\/strong> the rock, sculpting the characteristic shapes, which were later christened Montserrat (\"serrated mountain\").<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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In this view taken from Montgr\u00f2s, we can see the conglomerate in the foreground and the \"Agulles\" in the background, with their characteristic \"serrated\" shape.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Long before prehistoric humans settled in the caves or natural shelters, vegetation colonised this mountain. The stone and white pines in the lower parts and the holm oaks with viburnums, boxwoods, oaks and strawberry trees in the middle part. But if there is a relict vegetation, it is the one that populates the channels and torrents of the massif. Yews, maples, lime trees, holly trees... grow in isolation in these unique ecosystems. It is worth mentioning some small endemic flowering plants that grow on rocky terrain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Holly can be found on some inland paths and streams. For example, this specimen photographed at the access to the Font de la Llum path. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The geological material limits the presence of water in the massif. There are very few water points that significantly limit the life of amphibians, the midwife toad and the salamander being the most frequent. Reptiles are more suited to these dry environments, with the common lizard and the snub-nosed viper predominating. On the other hand, the rocky environment of Montserrat favours the nesting of species of birds of prey such as the peregrine falcon, Bonelli's eagle or owls such as the great duke or tawny owl. In the spring season, access to certain areas is restricted, especially climbing areas, to protect their breeding period. Squirrels inhabit the lower part of the massif, where it is common to see pine cones eaten by them. Wild boars and mountain goats are frequent in the less frequented areas. The latter are easy to spot, the males are easily identifiable by their antlers and are usually alone and the females with some of their young in small groups. <\/p>\n\n\n

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Between 1995 and 1999, 26 specimens were released from the Ports de Tortosa. Besseit (Castell\u00f3n\/Tarragona\/Teruel). Currently, a stabilised population of around 250 specimens is estimated.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Montserrat, the mountain <\/strong>holy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The relationship between humans and the mountains dates back to prehistoric times, but undoubtedly the discovery by shepherds of the carving of the black virgin, known as the Moreneta <\/strong>marks the religious and spiritual history of the so-called sacred mountain. The discovery dates back to the year 880, when the bishop of Manresa wanted to move her to this location, but she was too heavy. This was interpreted as an omen and a wish of the Virgin to remain in Montserrat. She was moved to the hermitage of Santa Maria, the forerunner of the present monastery, which dates from 1025. At first it depended on the Abbot of Ripoll and gradually became a sanctuary. Between the 12th and 13th centuries, the Romanesque chapel was built and the carving of the Virgin we see today dates from this period. In the 15th century, the Gothic cloister was built and the monastery of Ripoll became independent. It was sacked during the French invasion in 1812 and punished in 1835 with the disentailment of Mendiz\u00e1bal. In 1940 it was visited by the Nazi hierarch Himmler, believed to be looking for clues to the Holy Grail. On the same site there is a museum and the Escolania, famous for its children's choir.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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In the monastery grounds, we can see the Abat Cisneros hotel on the left, the Abat Marcet cells in the middle and the monastery itself on the right.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The spiritual tradition is not only centred on the monastery grounds, but also expands to other spaces, the chapels<\/strong>. Some are of medieval origin, most were destroyed during the French invasion of 1812 and rebuilt later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n