The 9^th day of our vacation began with us walking to La Plaça Espanya (that is Catalan for La Plaza España).  From there we bought tickets for Montserrat.  This excursion includes a choice of two ways to reach the actual summit, either a cable car ride up the mountain (lasting 5 minutes) or a longer train ride that passes the area, then double-backs to a station up the mountain (lasting 30 minutes).  We wanted a more scenic route, so we opted for the cable car ride.

The train ride from Barcelona to Montserrat-Aeri, the station where you then take the cable car, took about an hour.  From then on, there was a short wait until we boarded the cable car, which can hold up to 35 people.  As mentioned before, the trip lasts 5 minutes as the car ascends right up the mountain.  Once you reach the top, you are in Montserrat.

Going up by way of cable car

Looking up at the scenery on the way up

A wonderful view of the mountains alongside the cable car

Sitting up top...having the valley at my feet

What is there to do in Montserrat?  Well, the main enjoyment is a vast panoramic view of the surrounding area.  There are 4 towns in the valley surrounding Montserrat.  From up top, you can take pictures of the mountainsides and the valley.  There are many breathtaking shots that just give you goose bumps.  Another great thing about the area is that although you are up top on a mountainside, it is not much cooler up there as it is in the valley.  The only difference might be an increase bit of wind that you feel.  But the breeze, in the summer months, feels very invigorating.

A market for local artisan breads, cheeses, and other goods

Local products brought to the market to sell

Mató (a Catalonian cheese) with honey

Another look at the mountainside

The main reason to visit Montserrat is to see the monastery.  The history goes – that around 880, some shepherd children saw a light up top the Montserrat mountains and then began to hear the voices of angels who were singing.  After their parents and the town’s people all heard the voices, an excavation team was sent to the area to explore.  Upon finding a cave, the team (comprised of religious elders) found an image of the Virgin Mary.  At that point, the spot was considered a holy sanctuary.  In the modern day, the location where the Virgin Mary was found is marked by a Holy Grotto which is visited by many people every day.

Jesus and his followers (located in the monestary)

The mountain surrounds the monestary

Looking back at the plaza area right outside the monestary

A set of vivid flowers with local buildings & mountains in the background

Located near the Holy Grotto

Once we got back to Barcelona, we headed for La Plaça Catalunya.  Yes, we just had to stop by the Mercat de St. Josip again! Hahaha.  Seriously, you can buy two large plates of fruit for 1€ while also buying 2 fruit drinks for another euro.  We first stopped by and got some fruit, ate some, then wanted something more filling, so we decided that we wanted to eat some Indian food.

We went to an Indian Restaurant located near Las Ramblas.  We were served a three course meal that consisted of a Somoza for appetizers, chicken curry and Nan bread for the main course, and a small round sweet dough ball (which tasted like a sweet pancake  – absolutely heavenly!!) soaked in syrup – YUM!

Somoza with various sauces

Chicken curry brought in a personal sized serving bowl

Chicken curry, rice, and naan bread

After dinner, we went back to the Market (are you surprised!?).  We stopped by “our” fruit juice stand and ordered not 2 but 4 juices for 2€; the juices were made of Pitayha; a fruit you just don’t find in the U.S. (or at least not in the South).  Too me, it has the color of Pepto Bismol, but with more intensity of flavor than that of a strawberry juice.

So many powders and spices to choose from...

A lovely selection of fresh fruit

For the candy lovers...if only there was enough time to try it all!

Jugo de Pitaya (or pitahaya) = Juice made of Dragonfruit

After our small endeavor…again…we went shopping, err…I went shopping.  My father and I stopped into H&M.  It is a very popular clothing store in Europe.  In Las Ramblas, there is one located near the beginning of the main street.  What is funny is that there are four floors devoted to women’s fashion and only one floor for men, and it is located all the way at the top.  Some pretty good fashion for cheap (at least in comparison to prices at Urban Outfitters or something – and the quality is better too).

Honestly, I really enjoyed today.   Montserrat was a great experience.  I couldn’t get over all the photos we took.  The funny thing is that even though there were times when I took shots of what I thought was the same area, each photo seemed completely different.  If you have a chance to visit Catalunya (Catalonia) and have already walked around Barcelona, don’t forget to check out Montserrat, you won’t regret it!

Filed under: Travel by Giancarlo Deleon