The Podoll Family: The Beautiful Montserrat

We left Barcelona late Friday afternoon and began the 1 hour drive west to the Monserrat (serrated mountain). This was one of the excursions Heather was most looking forward to. Monserrat is home to a 12th century Benedictine abbey and a basilica which houses a black madonna people pilgrimage from all over to see and worship. The buildings are perched high on steep cliffs overlooking farmland and Barcelona in the distance. Caves are scattered throughout the mountain which still are home to a few monks.

Samantha felt particularly drawn the see the black madonna. We waited in a line for about an hour working our way through the side chapels until we arrived for our moment with the madonna at the top of the basilica. Bells began to ring as we descended the other side -- Samantha and Heather lit a candle at one of the many alters. It was a special experience for all.

My favorite site was the mountain top -- we ascended a thousand feet by funicular and took in the amazing views and a short hike.

By 4 we were packed tight into our van and off to southern Spain.

walking into to the abbey