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MONTSERRAT
is a short train
ride away from Barcelona and allows visitors to stretch their hiking
legs outside of Barcelona's urban scenery. Tickets for the 45
minute train ride on the Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya
(Catalonia regional train) can be purchased underground at
Barcelona's Plaça d'Espanya train station (look for signs and a
tourist kiosk with pictures advertising Montserrat). Visitors
may also include the price of the cable car to the top of the
mountain with their ticket, thereby skipping the additional purchase
at the train stop at the bottom of the mountain. Serious
mountain men and lumberjacks also have the option of making the
strenuous hike up the mountain.
At the top lies a
Benedictine Abbey, Santa María de Montserrat. Santa María de
Montserrat Abbey is the home to the Virgin of Montserrat, a statue
of the Virgin Mary and infant Christ which is a pilgrimage site.
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Cable Car ride
up to the top of Monserrat |
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Leaving
the Cable Car Station on the way up the mountain |
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View of
Montserrat Cable Car Station |
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View of
Santa María de Montserrat from level below |
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Bright red
flowers on the window sill with a reflection of Santa María
de Montserrat in the window |
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Jagged
rock formations above the living quarters |
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The benches
and walkway above the plaza in front of the abbey provide
great views and photo opportunities |
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Walkway
across from the abbey |
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View from the
walkway across from Santa María de Montserrat |
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Crucifix
near the benches above the pedestrian plaza in front of the
abbey |
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Santa María de Montserrat
abbey lightposts |
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Crucifix
outside Santa María de Montserrat |
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View through
archway exiting the abbey, with rock formations in the
background |
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Abbey
courtyard |
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Throngs of
tourists photographing the abbey choir at their 1:00pm show |
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Abbey
interior |
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Santa María de Montserrat
abbey |
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Photo
using Canon's MyColor mode |
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Interior of
the abbey |
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Crucifix
with Santa María de Montserrat abbey in the background |
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Santa María de Montserrat
abbey |
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Plaza
Statue with rock formations across from the abbey in the
background |
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Santa María de Montserrat
from the gift shop below |
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Santa María de Montserrat
plaza archway |
The whole site lies on
a couple different layers, with a cafeteria, gift shop, and museum
on the lower layer, and the Abbey on the second layer.
The air is cool and crisp, even on those hot summer days, and the
views of the surrounding countryside are stunning.
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