Entheosfog in Europe: Barcelona Part IV, Montserrat, Spain

[entheosfog]

This entire photo thread is made of up pictures from Santa Maria de Montserrat, Spain, which is a Benedictine abbey essentially built into the side of the Montserrat Mountain Range. There are also a series of hikes and trails that we embarked on. This was a very welcome change to the business and craziness of Barcelona and it made for a perfect day trip by train from the city centre.

For the back story on my trip, please see part 1:
Entheosfog in Europe: Mighty Barcelona

Here's part 2 and 3:
Entheosfog in Europe: Barcelona Part II, Exploring Raval, Eixample etc
Entheosfog in Europe: Barcelona Part III - Gaudí Hates You

I have tried to keep the commentary on the photos to a minimum, but descriptions have been provided where I felt they are needed.

Enjoy!

The view from the train station looking up toward the Monastery:

The View from the Train Station by Jeremy, on Flickr

This horrible photo is the gondola station at the bottom. I was having lens issues involving dust with my camera, as you can see, but I really liked the lettering on the building:

P1010437 by Jeremy Hood, on Flickr

The aged gondola that takes you up to the action:

Santa Maria de Montserrat by Jeremy, on Flickr


Santa Maria de Montserrat by Jeremy, on Flickr

Looking down from the gondola:

Spain Highway from Above by Jeremy, on Flickr


Santa Maria de Montserrat by Jeremy, on Flickr


Part of the Montserrat Mountain Range by Jeremy, on Flickr

This building houses the cafeteria, among other things:

The View from Montserrat by Jeremy, on Flickr


P1010450 by Jeremy Hood, on Flickr

There is a road that will take you up to the monastery, but the gondola provided some pretty fine views:

Part of the Montserrat Mountain Range by Jeremy, on Flickr

Or you could always take this thing:

Tram by Jeremy, on Flickr


P1010452 by Jeremy Hood, on Flickr


Santa Maria de Montserrat by Jeremy, on Flickr


Montserrat Monastery by Jeremy, on Flickr


Montserrat Monastery by Jeremy, on Flickr


Montserrat Monastery by Jeremy, on Flickr


Montserrat Monastery by Jeremy, on Flickr


P1010458 by Jeremy Hood, on Flickr


P1010462 by Jeremy Hood, on Flickr


Photo Taking by Jeremy, on Flickr


The View from Montserrat by Jeremy, on Flickr


Public Art Piece by Jeremy, on Flickr

Looking towards Barcelona, I believe:

Spain from Montserrat by Jeremy, on Flickr


Part of the Montserrat Mountain Range by Jeremy, on Flickr


Montserrat Monastery by Jeremy, on Flickr


Montserrat Monastery by Jeremy, on Flickr


Montserrat Monastery by Jeremy, on Flickr


Spain from Montserrat by Jeremy, on Flickr


Same Hair by Jeremy, on Flickr


Shuttle Vehicle by Jeremy, on Flickr


Montserrat Monastery by Jeremy, on Flickr


Montserrat Monastery by Jeremy, on Flickr

Montserrat Monastery by Jeremy, on Flickr

The Monastery:

P1010484 by Jeremy Hood, on Flickr


Montserrat Monastery by Jeremy, on Flickr


Montserrat Monastery by Jeremy, on Flickr


Montserrat Monastery by Jeremy, on Flickr


Monsterrat Monastery by Jeremy, on Flickr


Monsterrat Monastery by Jeremy, on Flickr


Monsterrat Monastery by Jeremy, on Flickr


Monsterrat Monastery by Jeremy, on Flickr


Monsterrat Monastery by Jeremy, on Flickr


Monsterrat Monastery by Jeremy, on Flickr


Monsterrat Monastery by Jeremy, on Flickr


Monsterrat Monastery by Jeremy, on Flickr


Monsterrat Monastery by Jeremy, on Flickr


Monsterrat Monastery by Jeremy, on Flickr


Monsterrat Monastery by Jeremy, on Flickr


Monsterrat Monastery by Jeremy, on Flickr

This fountain is a great place to fill up water bottles before embarking on one of the many trails around the monastery:

Fountain by Jeremy, on Flickr

After touring the basilica and abbey, we went on one of the trails around the Montserrat Mountains. We started with the Sant Joan Funicular walk, which took us to one of the highest point of the Mountain range:

Montserrat by Jeremy, on Flickr


P1010507 by Jeremy Hood, on Flickr


Montserrat by Jeremy, on Flickr


Montserrat by Jeremy, on Flickr


Montserrat by Jeremy, on Flickr

Everyone here is preparing for a photo. Some of these ladies looked quite old and to be doing this part of the hike to here was admirable:

P1010523 by Jeremy, on Flickr


Photo Time by Jeremy, on Flickr


Countryside by Jeremy, on Flickr


Montserrat by Jeremy, on Flickr


Tilted Tree by Jeremy, on Flickr


Montserrat by Jeremy, on Flickr


The view from Montserrat by Jeremy, on Flickr


Montserrat by Jeremy, on Flickr


Montserrat by Jeremy, on Flickr


Montserrat by Jeremy, on Flickr


P1010535 by Jeremy Hood, on Flickr

Some people have no shame, leaving their garbage behind:

Left Behind by Jeremy, on Flickr

Some of the trails get pretty steep but a few people I saw still chose to walk in flip-flops:

P1010543 by Jeremy Hood, on Flickr


Montserrat by Jeremy, on Flickr


Scraggly Trees by Jeremy, on Flickr

We didn’t go up there but the view was probably even better:

Montserrat by Jeremy, on Flickr

I’m not sure what these meant but I think they were put there by other hikers:

Montserrat by Jeremy, on Flickr


Montserrat by Jeremy, on Flickr

The landscape and the shadows created by the clouds were simply surreal. The weather couldn’t have been better either:

Montserrat by Jeremy, on Flickr

This is looking down at the abbey and monastery from above:

Montserrat by Jeremy, on Flickr

The cliffs dwarf that little structure down there:

Montserrat by Jeremy, on Flickr

At first I thought this cat belonged to one of these two men but it was one of the many cats that roam the area:

Montserrat Cat and Two Men by Jeremy, on Flickr


Montserrat Cat by Jeremy, on Flickr


Montserrat by Jeremy, on Flickr


That Way by Jeremy, on Flickr


Montserrat by Jeremy, on Flickr


Montserrat by Jeremy, on Flickr


Montserrat by Jeremy, on Flickr


Alien Ship by Jeremy, on Flickr


My Shadow by Jeremy, on Flickr

Our next destination point was down there:

Montserrat by Jeremy, on Flickr


The View from Montserrat by Jeremy, on Flickr

I believe this church still sees some use:

Montserrat by Jeremy, on Flickr


Montserrat by Jeremy, on Flickr


P1010599 by Jeremy Hood, on Flickr


Montserrat by Jeremy, on Flickr

This whole hike would have been worth it if only to get this view:

Montserrat by Jeremy, on Flickr


Montserrat Cat by Jeremy, on Flickr


Montserrat by Jeremy, on Flickr


Montserrat by Jeremy, on Flickr

This is looking back at where we just were:

Montserrat by Jeremy, on Flickr

Back near the abbey:

Montserrat by Jeremy, on Flickr

Back on the gondola, heading back:

Montserrat, Looking Down by Jeremy, on Flickr


Gondola by Jeremy, on Flickr


Spain Highway from Above by Jeremy, on Flickr

We decided to pass on going to this bar for a drink and boarded the soonest train back to Barcelona:

Bar El Rincon by Jeremy, on Flickr

Headed back on the train, passing through some Spanish towns:

On the Train by Jeremy, on Flickr

Thanks for stopping by! Next up soon: Entheosfog in Europe - part 4!

[jeremai]

Never heard of this place before. What a striking location. Excellent pics.

[entheosfog]

Originally Posted by jeremai

Never heard of this place before. What a striking location. Excellent pics.

Thanks! Before I went, I hadn't heard of it, except through my brother.

[EastSideHBG]

Wow, what an interesting place and awesome pics! I didn't mind the dust in this one and it's still a great pic, especially the bottom left.

[entheosfog]

Originally Posted by EastSideHBG

Wow, what an interesting place and awesome pics! I didn't mind the dust in this one and it's still a great pic, especially the bottom left.

Thanks! I agree

[Centropolis]

stunning.