Okay, now the photos of Montserrat.
We headed up there yesterday after another marvelous cooking class.
It made for a long day (left Girona at 9:30am and did not return until 8pm).
I am trying to fit in all of these things before the baby is born!
Blurb from the website:
Santa Maria de Montserrat is the name of the Benedictine Monastery. One interesting fact about the monastery is that it is home to the world’s oldest continuing press—its first book was published in 1499. Santa Maria de Montserrat is also a significant religious retreat. Many travelers visit Santa Maria de Montserrat to listen to the famous boys’ choir, one of the oldest choirs in Europe.
Montserrat Mountain translates as “serrated mountain,” which is a reference to its jagged formation. Located more than 4,000 feet above sea level, Montserrat Barcelona offers spectacular hikes and views.
It is believed by some that Virgin Mary visited the Holy Grotto of the monastery. Another popular story tells how the site for the Holy Grotto was chosen. The story goes that during the year 880, a group of shepherd children saw a bright light in the Montserrat mountains. At the same time, the children saw angels and heard beautiful singing. After the children told their parents, the parents also experienced the same phenomenon and interpreted it as a sign from God. Visitors today can walk to the Holy Grotto to see for themselves where this story was supposed to have taken place.
We parked at the bottom of the hill and took the train up the mountain...quite an experience!
We then took the funiculars to two different sites on top of the mountain...
It was a super interesting experience and I would like to return to really explore the trails, so maybe once the baby is born I can return and do a longer hike!
