Montserrat Abbey

Montserrat Abbey is located on the jagged Montserrat mountain range in Catalonia, Spain, approximately 50 kilometers northwest of Barcelona. Visitors can reach it by train from Barcelona's Plaça d'Espanya station to either the Aeri de Montserrat cable car or the Montserrat rack railway, one of the few cog railways in Spain, for the ascent up the mountain.

The Virgin of Montserrat, commonly known as the Black Madonna or La Moreneta, is a venerated 12th-century Romanesque sculpture of the Virgin Mary and Child housed in the abbey's basilica. The dark wooden statue is the patroness of Catalonia and attracts pilgrims and visitors from around the world.

The Escolania de Montserrat is one of the oldest boys' choirs in Europe, with documented roots tracing back to at least the 13th century. The choir performs regularly at the abbey's basilica and is one of the most distinctive cultural features of the Montserrat religious community.

Yes, Montserrat Abbey remains an active Benedictine monastery and serves as Catalonia's most significant religious retreat. It houses a community of monks who maintain the liturgical life of the sanctuary, including the daily singing of the Salve Regina and Virolai by the Escolania choir.