Cardona and Montserrat Full-Day Trip With a Small Group

Itinerary
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Stop At: El Parque Cultural de la Montana de Sal, Carretera de la Mina s/n, 08261 Cardona Spain

At the top of a hill, 585 high, there is a medieval fortress considered one of the most important in Catalonia. The Cardona castle was built during the IX century by Wilfred the Hairy (in catalan Guifrè el Pilós) following the Romanesque style. Wilfred is very important in the Catalan history because was the first one who established the hereditary succession of the Barcelona earl title, and in consequence, gave place to the independence from the kingdom of the franks. During the XV century the Cardona dukes where the most important family in the region, below the royal family. That’s the reason why where named the kings without crown. Most of the fortress was destroyed during the siege of the Philip V army during the Spanish Succession War, in the 1714.

First of all we will have the opportunity to explore the salt mines walking through its tunnels at 86m deep.

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Castillo de Cardona, Conjunto, Castell de Cardona, 08261 Cardona Spain

We will visit the best preserved parts of the castle: The tower and the Saint Vincent church, which is a magnificent example of Romanesque architecture. At the end of the guided tour we will enjoy a complete local products brunch.

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Abadia de Montserrat, Carretera BP-1121 S/N, 08199 Montserrat Spain

During the first part of the tour you will enjoy an introduction to the history of the monastery. Once the guided tour has ended, you will have free time to enjoy de fabulous land scape by yourself, to visit the local food market, to visit de audiovisual exhibition and to taste some typical liqueurs. Montserrat is a rocky mountain located 50 km to the southwest of Barcelona. It is considered the most significant and important mountain of Catalonia. The etymology of Montserrat comes from Catalan Mont (mountain) and serrat (serrated). The mountain receives its name for its peculiar morphology. In 1987 Montserrat was declared a Natural Park to ensure its conservation. The highest peak is called Sant Jeroni (Saint Jerome) and stands at 1,236 meters above sea level.

The importance of this mountain is due to the legend of the miraculous appearance of the Madonna and Child in one of the caves. This cave received the name Santa Cova (The Saint Cave). To this day the wood carving of the Madonna and Child are kept in the Church of the monastery and it is possible to visit it. This image of the Madonna is popularly known as La Moreneta (The Black Madonna) for its dark color. The color is the result of a reaction caused by varnish. La Moreneta´s holiday is on April 27th.

Due to the legend of the Madonna, the mountain has been linked with spirituality. Besides the main monastery of Santa María de Montserrat, there is a great number of small churches and chapels, some of them abandoned. The main monastery stands at 720 meters above sea level. Nowadays there is a community of 80 monks that live there and follow the rule of Saint Benedict.


Duration: 2 hours 45 minutes