Montserrat Mountain and the Abbey of the Order of Saint Benedict

Duration: 8-9 hours.

Montserrat Mountain in Catalonia holds profound spiritual and religious significance. Established in the 9th century, the Monastery of the Order of Saint Benedict stands at the summit and is considered one of Spain’s most important pilgrimage sites.

Throughout history, Montserrat Mountain has attracted renowned individuals from various epochs. For instance, in the 19th century, French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte visited this place during his campaign in Spain. The mountain has been visited by American presidents, artists, and other notable figures.

The journey to the mountain’s summit takes just 50 minutes. Here, you can make a wish at the Black Virgin of Montserrat, one of the most venerated relics in the monastery, drawing countless pilgrims who come with requests, prayers, and hope. According to legend, «La Moreneta« (Catalan for «The Little Dark One«) grants the wishes of believers. However, it’s advisable to arrive early in the morning since access to the altar is closed from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.

In the Benedictine monastery, 100 monks lead a life dedicated to prayer, contemplation, and work. An integral part of the monastery community is the 50 boy choristers. They receive education, study music, and perform hymns during religious services.

Every day from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., there is a service with organ music. At 1 p.m. daily, except for Saturdays, the boys’ choir performs a blessing to the Virgin Mary.

After visiting the monastery, we can stroll along hiking trails and capture picturesque photos.

Next to the monastery is a museum featuring masterpieces by Caravaggio, El Greco, Salvador Dalí, Picasso, Manet, Casas, Rusiñol, and others. If you wish, you can take a funicular ride to an altitude of 970 meters and witness a breathtaking panoramic view of the picturesque valley from a bird’s eye perspective.

At the base of the monastery, there is a farmer’s market where locals sell honey produced in the ecologically pristine foothills. Additionally, fig cakes, firm cheeses like Parmesan, and soft goat and sheep cheeses are popular. You will most likely be offered a sample, regardless of whether you intend to purchase. Following the tour, we can enjoy lunch at a local non-touristy restaurant. An assortment of grilled meats, accompanied by a glass of homemade red wine, would serve as an excellent conclusion to the outing. The cost is €18 per person.

Torres Winery

After spending three hours at the monastery, we will visit the most renowned winery, where the Torres family has been practicing winemaking for five generations, blending age-old traditions with cutting-edge technologies.

During the visit to the winery, you will discover:

• Why a bottle of quality wine is priced at €80;
• How rosé wine is crafted and what influences its color;
• Why roses grow alongside vineyards;
• How the deceptive behavior of butterflies aids the preservation of the grape harvest;
• Why is the most expensive wine named after the family estate.

Duration: 1.5 hours. You will watch a documentary about the Torres family, visit the vineyards, explore a modern wine cellar, and gain insight into why both oak and steel barrels are employed at the winery.

And finally, the delightful part of the tour awaits you. You will get to taste two white wines, two red wines, and one rosé. A pleasant surprise awaits you, with a discount on wines in the range.

You’ll return home with delectable souvenirs from Catalonia and be able to share the traditions and culture of this region through the unforgettable narratives of the guide.

Additional expenses:

• Round trip funicular ride: €13
• Entrance to the monastery: €8
• Boy’s choir: €8
• Museum ticket: €8
• Winery visit: €34

We buy all tickets in advance to avoid queues.

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