On Monday morning, Group 14 visited the historic Santa Maria de Montserrat monastery. Nestled high up on the Catalonian mountains, Montserrat offered not only breath-taking views, but peaceful sanctuary from the world down below. It was about a 40 minute bus ride from the center of Barcelona, taking the group from the lively and bustling city that is Barcelona to a small Catalonian town with only one road. Group 14 also had the privilege of taking a gondola ride to the very top of the mountains, getting to see just about the entirety of the mountain range. The monastery dates back to its origins as early as the year 888, and served as a place of devotion and religious observation until the Spanish Civil War in 1936, when it was abandoned. Fortunately, the Government of Catalonia made its preservation a priority, allowing tourists and locals to still enjoy it today. While Montserrat is incredibly physically impressive, its’ rich history makes it easy to understand why it is loved by so many.
