Basilica de Montserrat
The Basilica at Montserrat Monastery is the church in the complex. While it is most famous for housing the Black Madonna of Montserrat, the Basilica de Montserrat is also worth visiting in its own right.
If you want to attend Mass at Montserrat, the Basilica is where you will go. It is also the place to hear the renowned Escolania de Montserrat boys’ choir perform.
Often the first stop on a tour of Montserrat Monastery, the Basilica at Montserrat is a striking structure, built in the Gothic and Renaissance styles.
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The Basilica de Montserrat was significantly damaged in the Peninsular War (1808-1814) and it was eventually rebuilt at the end of the 19th century.
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What to See at the Basilica de Montserrat
The Atrium
Enter through one of a series of five arches into the large courtyard, known as the Atrium, that leads into the Basilica.
The Atrium is a great place from which to take photos of the facade of the Basilica de Montserrat.
The facade, by Francisco de Paula del Villar y Carmona, was built in 1901, with sculptural reliefs by Venanci Vallmitjana i Barbany and Agapit Vallmitjana i Barbany. It was rebuilt after the Spanish Civil War.
The baptistery is located to one side. The walls of the Atrium bear designs created in the 1950s. The floor is made of beautiful black and white marble. There are several sculptures of note in the Atrium.
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The Interior of the Basilica de Montserrat
The central nave measures about 190 feet (58 meters) in length. It is about 49 feet (15 meters) wide, and about 75 feet (23 meters) high.
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The Crucifix of Montserrat, the central image of a crucified Jesus, is said to have been created by Michelangelo.
Do not miss the large numbers of hanging lamps on the sides. They have been donated by regions, towns, and other entities in Catalonia, and are meant to signify the continuous presence of the people of Catalonia at the feet of Santa Maria de Montserrat.
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In the central pilasters of the nave are the statues of Ezekial, Jeremiah, Isaiah, and Daniel, the prophets. They were carved in wood and installed here in 1886.
On either side are multiple decorated chapels. Also look for the beautiful pipe organ on the side of the nave. The organ is stunning and is one of the largest in Europe. If you visit in the summer, you can hear the organ at the organ festival, which takes place on multiple Saturdays.
At the back of the Basilica is the Black Madonna, seated within a gilded altar. Also note the cross on the main altar, a 15th century work by Lorenzo Ghiberti of Italy.
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Through the portal at the back, you can access the room of the Virgin’s throne, which contains several notable works of art. The throne is embossed silver.
Next to the throne room, you will see a stunning cave-like corridor with dozens and dozens of colorful candles left by visitors. It is a surreal sight!
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Visiting Information for the Basilica de Montserrat at a Glance
| Opening Hours | 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily |
| Entrance Fee for Tourist Visits | — Basilica only: €7.00 online, 8.00€ at the ticket office — Combination ticket €18.00 online, €20.00 at the ticket office (Buy now at GetYourGuide!) — With boys’ choir €25.00 online, €27.00 at ticket office (Buy now at Tiqets!) — Or opt for the ToT Montserrat Ticket |
Visiting Information for the Basilica de Montserrat
Get more details below!
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Basilica of Montserrat Opening Hours
The Basilica at the Montserrat Monastery is open daily from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m.
Religious services are held at various times through the day. Mass is at 11 a.m. and Vespers at 6.45 p.m.
Between 10:30 a.m. and noon, access to the Basilica is only allowed for visitors planning to attend Mass. A reservation is mandatory on weekends and holidays.
If you book online via GetYourGuide or Tiqets, availability will only be shown for slots that you can book.
Note that the room of the Virgin’s throne has special hours, so if you wish to see the Black Madonna up close you have to buy a special ticket or a combination ticket that includes the throne room and visit during the time slot on your ticket.
Also note that the Montserrat Boys’ Choir performs at designated times, so if you want to attend the performance, you have to purchase a ticket that includes the choir and visit at the designated time.
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Basilica of Montserrat Entrance Fee and Tickets
If you are not a resident of Spain, there is an entrance fee to visit the interior of the Basilica de Montserrat.
You can buy various combinations of tickets for the attractions at Montserrat.
The combined ticket that includes entry to the Basilica with a specific time to view the Black Madonna, as well as the open air museum, the audio-visual room, and the Museum of Montserrat, is the best value at €18.00 online and €20.00 at the ticket office.
You can buy this ticket on the GetYourGuide website, with the ability to reserve way in advance and pay close to your visit date, plus the option to cancel for free.
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You can also buy a combination ticket that allows you to hear the Escolania de Montserrat perform, plus access to the Black Madonna, as well as the open air museum, the audio-visual room, and the Museum of Montserrat. It costs €25.00 online and €27.00 at the ticket office.
You can buy this ticket on the Tiqets website, with the option to cancel or reschedule for free right up to 24 hours before your visit.
For individual tickets to the various attractions, check out this website. Combination tickets are usually less expensive.
Entry to just the Basilica costs €7.00 online and 8.00€ at the ticket office.
We highly recommend purchasing your ticket in advance, to conserve time on the date of your visit and be assured of the time slot you desire to see the Black Madonna or hear the boys’ choir sing.
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Guided Tour from Barcelona with Entry to Basilica
You can also visit on a guided tour that includes entry to the Basilica and a view of the Black Madonna as well as the audio-visual show.
This very popular tour from Barcelona includes access to the Basilica de Montserrat and the Black Madonna and has the option to add the boys’ choir.
>> Check price and availability for this Montserrat tour from Barcelona now!
Planning a trip to the historic mountaintop abbey? Bookmark our Montserrat Monastery website for the complete rundown on visiting Montserrat!
And if you’re just starting to plan your visit to Barcelona, check out the some of the top day trips from Barcelona, which you absolutely don’t want to miss!
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