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A VIP tour to take you back to the 11th century, when the history of Montserrat's magnificent monastery began. Located at an altitude of 720 metres, this famous Benedictine abbey occupies a lofty ledge in the Montserrat mountain range near Barcelona, Spain. Our VIP tour allows exclusive access to the sacristy and skip-the-line entry to see the statue of La Moreneta. Hugo, one of our expert local guides, says, ‘La Moreneta, or “Black Madonna” is a sacred wooden statue of the Virgin Mary and the infant Jesus, which is said to have been carved in Jerusalem in the early years of Christianity. The abbey is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Spain.'
The whole monastic complex is impressive, and you'll have plenty of time to see it without having to spend time waiting in line. There are several areas to explore, including the basilica, sacristy, choir stalls, library and museum. The basilica was built in the 19th century and is a prime example of neo-Gothic architecture. The monastery is famously served by a prestigious boys' choir, the Escolania de Montserrat, which dates back to the 14th century, making it one of the oldest in Europe.
As you look around the site, you can sample the herb liqueur made by the monks and watch the brand-new, interactive audiovisual presentation on Montserrat's history. And if you want to take your experience to a higher plane, you can buy tickets for the funicular to the summit – the views over the Llobregat valley from the top are phenomenal.
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