A sea, a mummy, and a swing: 10 secrets you might not know about Montserrat

BarcelonaThere are mountains you climb with your feet, and others you ascend with your soul. Montserrat is one of the latter. Some have dubbed it the magic mountain, others the spiritual heart of Catalonia, but no name fully does it justice; because Montserrat is not just a place: it is a presence with mysterious caves, impossible spires, hanging shrines, and ancient stories.

This year, 2025, when the monastery celebrates a thousand years of existence, is the perfect time to rediscover it with fresh eyes. Beyond the sanctuary, the Black Madonna, and the altar boys, Montserrat hides a universe of secrets that aren't covered in information leaflets or hiking guides. Shrines hanging in the void, spectacular viewpoints, swings that make you fly, and stories from when there was still a sea.

Some people climb to pray, others to climb, to contemplate, or to get lost among the spires. Whichever side you fall into, here are several reasons to come back and rediscover it.

More than 6,400 climbing routes

Everyone knows that Montserrat is a climber's paradise, but did you know there are more than 6,400 climbing routes? This figure makes it one of the most densely climbable areas in Europe. Cavall Bernat, with its slender and unmistakable silhouette, is probably the most iconic route: conquering its summit is a rite of passage for many Catalan climbers. But it's not the only thing that commands awe: the north face of Frailes Encantados, the Aéreo wall, the north face of Els Ecos, and the west face of San Jerónimo test even the bravest.

An ancient sea

If we tread on needles today, 50 million years ago we would have been swimming among shells. Where Montserrat stands, there was a shallow sea teeming with aquatic life. This history of stone and patience makes Montserrat part of the Central Catalonia UNESCO Global Geopark, recognized for its geological and scenic value.

There's a path to Montserrat that seems to come straight out of a legend. It's the Path of the Holy Cave, the route that connects the monastery with the place where, according to tradition, the Black Madonna was found in 880. But what many don't know is that this path is literally carved into the rock, as if the mountain had wanted to open up. This refers not only to the metal, but to its extremely high cost: it was built between the late 17th and early 18th centuries thanks to generous donations from the Marchioness of Tamarit. Today, it's a walk steeped in symbolism, with chapels and sculptures that accompany the pilgrim every step of the way.

15 ancient hermitages

It's no secret that Montserrat has been a refuge for monks and hermits. Did you know that the remains of these centuries-old hermitages can still be found today? Scattered like small islands of silence among spires and ravines, many of these hermitages—such as San Onofre or San Juan—were built using natural caves, spaces nestled in the mountain that offered shelter and mysticism in equal measure. The Hermitages Trail, which can be walked from the monastery, allows you to discover several, although some only retain four stones and a mystery. These constructions bear witness to the contemplative life that flourished in Montserrat for centuries, and which can still be experienced today off the beaten track.

A museum with works by Monet and Caravaggio

Often overlooked, the Montserrat Museum is a quiet gem. Inside, it houses works by Caravaggio, Monet, Dalí, Rusiñol, Casas, and Picasso, among many others. It's a collection of private donations, purchases, and legacies. It's probably one of the most powerful museums in Catalonia outside of Barcelona... and with one of the best possible settings: the museum's large windows offer direct views into the heart of the mountain range.

The Mummy of Montserrat

Among the museum's treasures is a rare piece: an authentic Egyptian mummy, complete with sarcophagus. The result of a donation at the beginning of the 20th century, it is part of the museum's collection of antiquities. Although it has nothing to do with the Christian religion or the history of the monastery, it is a way of bringing universal culture closer to visitors. And who knows, perhaps also with the fascination with life after death, something Montserrat has explored for a thousand years.

A record-breaking organ

With 4,242 pipes, it weighs 12,000 kilos and measures 12.5 meters high and 5.5 meters wide. These figures make it the largest organ in Catalonia and one of the largest in Europe. That's why it's much more than an instrument: it's a voice that has resonated within the monastery walls since the 16th century. Over the centuries, several monks and musicians have contributed to its evolution, including figures such as Father Joan Cererols, a Baroque composer and monk of Montserrat. Currently, the modern organ, inaugurated in 2010, accompanies liturgical celebrations and concerts, keeping the monastery's musical tradition alive.

A swing with a view

Montserrat has a thousand ways to take our breath away, but there's one very special one you won't find on the usual maps. In Castellbell i el Vilar, at the Bauma Viewpoint, there's a swing with privileged views of the magical mountain. It was installed by the Association of Friends of the Bauma Church, which safeguards local heritage and has turned this viewpoint into a unique corner of the southern massif. To get there, you need to follow the route of the old Montserrat rack railway, now a dirt road. The route is short and easy—just one kilometer from the Sagrada Familia church in Bauma—but the reward is immense: a wooden seat, fresh air on your face, and Montserrat in the background.

The best viewpoints

The Sant Jeroni Viewpoint, at 1,236 meters above sea level, is the highest point in Montserrat and one of the most impressive viewpoints in the country. On clear days, the view stretches from the Pyrenees to the sea, passing through the entire Anoia plain, the Bages mountains, and the Baix Llobregat region. But you don't have to go that high to be amazed: the Mirador de la Cruz de San Miguel, just 20 minutes from the monastery, offers a majestic frontal view of the abbey nestled among the rocks. If you want to observe the massif from the outside, take the Route of the Seven Balconies of Montserrat, an itinerary that includes seven natural and panoramic viewpoints of the magical mountain from different towns in the northern Baix Llobregat region, such as Collbató, Abrera, and Olesa de Montserrat.

Caching, mine and dwelling

The Salnitre Caves in Collbató have had many lives. During the Neolithic period, they served as homes and burial sites. Later, the monks of Montserrat discovered an unexpected treasure: saltpeter, a valuable mineral derived from bat droppings, which they exploited for centuries. When the mine was abandoned, the cave became the hiding place of the bandit Mansuet, a popular hero against Napoleon's troops. In the mid-19th century, the cave began to receive illustrious visitors, including Verdaguer, Rusiñol, and Gaudí, becoming a benchmark of Catalan speleology and a must-see for pilgrims to Montserrat. Today, it can be visited, with spectacular corridors that seem sculpted by the world's greatest sculptor.