Black Madonna (Our Lady of Montserrat, La Moreneta)
Is the Black Madonna one of your reasons for visiting Montserrat Monastery?
Admiring the famous statue of the Madonna and Child is definitely one of the top things to do at Montserrat!
The image of Our Lady of Montserrat is known locally as La Moreneta, the “dark-skinned one.” The wood sculpture you see in the church today, created in Romanesque style, dates back to the 12th century.
Along with Saint George, Our Lady of Montserrat is the patron saint of Catalonia. Deeply revered in Catalonia, the Black Madonna of Montserrat is a famous pilgrimage destination for visitors from all over the world.
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The polychrome image features the Madonna seated on a throne, the Throne of Wisdom, with the Child on her lap. She holds an orb representing the universe in her right hand, and wears a crown.
The Black Madonna of Montserrat is just one of a few in Europe.
Did you know that the Black Madonna was not originally carved dark? Smoke from the hundreds of thousands of candles and lamps lit in front of the image have darkened it over time.
Seeing the Black Madonna at Montserrat up close requires a timed entry ticket that you can buy ahead of your visit. If viewing the Black Madonna up close is high on your wish list for Montserrat Monastery, book your ticket in advance.
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History of the Black Madonna at Montserrat
Legend has it that the original image of the Virgin Mary here was carved by St. Luke in Jerusalem, at the request of Jesus. The statue was later brought to Barcelona and presented to the local Christian community as a gift.
The image was originally known as the Jerusalemite (La Jerosolimitana).
When Spain was invaded by the Moors in the early 8th century, the locals took the image up into the nearby mountains and hid it in a cave. Under the long period of Moslem rule that followed, the location of the statue was forgotten.
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Then, in the year 880, some young local shepherds saw light beaming out of a cave in the mountain and music playing. They investigated, and discovered the sacred statue.
The discovery of the Black Madonna is deemed a miracle, and set in motion the events that led to the founding of the monastery.
When the nearest bishop was informed of the discovery by the children and their parents, he wanted to take the image to the city to be worshipped, but when the people tried relocating the statue, it got heavier and heavier, until they could no longer lift it. That’s when it was decided to keep the image on the mountain, to be worshipped right there.
Sadly, this original image was lost or destroyed at some point, replaced by the Romanesque image from the 12th century you now see.
The Throne Room of the Virgin dates back to the mid 20th century. The doors, made of hammered silver, are gorgeous. The golden throne is ornate!
Want to see La Moreneta up close? Get your ticket online and save time on the date of your visit! This Montserrat Monastery and Museum ticket includes a timed-entry slot to view the Black Madonna. Get your ticket now!
Essential Facts About the Black Madonna of Montserrat
| Fact Title | Black Madonna of Montserrat Details |
|---|---|
| Nickname | Locals lovingly call her “La Moreneta”, meaning “The Little Dark One” in Catalan. |
| Discovered by Light | According to legend, shepherd boys found her in a cave in 880 AD, led by a mysterious light. |
| Why She’s Black | Her dark color likely comes from centuries of candle smoke and oxidized varnish, not the original paint. |
| Symbolic Hands | The Madonna holds a globe (symbolizing the universe), while baby Jesus raises his hand in blessing. |
| Catalonia’s Patron Saint | She’s the official patron saint of Catalonia, honored every year on April 27th. |
| A Touch of Blessing | Visitors touch the orb in her hand for good luck and spiritual strength. |
| Carved From Wood | The statue is hand-carved from wood, about 37 inches (95 cm) tall, in Romanesque style. |
Where is the Black Madonna at Montserrat?
You will find the Black Madonna at the back of the chapel in the Montserrat Basilica. The main golden altar frames the statue.
You can see the Black Madonna from the interior of the Basilica, although it is a distant view. You can also see her up close in the Throne Room of the Virgin.
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Can you touch the Black Madonna at Montserrat Monastery?
While the Black Madonna statue at Montserrat is placed behind a sheet of glass, the Madonna’s right hand, which holds a sphere, is not behind the glass.
According to tradition, you should touch or kiss Our Lady’s hand whilst opening your other hand to Jesus.
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What are the opening hours for the Black Madonna at Montserrat?
The Black Madonna at Montserrat Monastery can be viewed up close in the throne room from 8 a.m. until 10.30 a.m. and from noon until 6.25 p.m. daily.
Your entrance ticket, if you’ve bought one that includes a timed slot for the Throne of Our Lady, will indicate the time slot during which you can see the Black Madonna from up close and touch the golden orb in her hand.
You will see the queue for the Black Madonna to the right of the church entrance as you enter.
If you just have a ticket for the Basilica de Montserrat, you can see the Black Madonna from a distance at any time during your tour of the inside the sanctuary.
But be warned, visitors that paid to enter the throne room pass by the aperture, blocking your view of La Moreneta. Even if you use a zoom lens, you will still only get intermittent blurry peeks.
If you have your heart set on getting a good look at the Black Madonna, pay for the entry to the throne room.
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Is there a ticket to see the Black Madonna at Montserrat Monastery?
To view the Black Madonna as a non-resident of Spain, you will need a ticket. The tourist ticket offers timed entry and you can buy it in advance.
Visits are offered in 15-minute slots in the morning and afternoon.
Buy a ticket that allows you entrance to the basilica with a time slot for the Black Madonna as well as the audio-visual room and the Museum of Montserrat.
You can also buy a ticket online that includes the boys’ choir. In this case, the time slot is for the performance of the boys’ choir and you will have to queue to see the Black Madonna.
You can also visit on a guided tour that includes entry to the basilica and a view of the Black Madonna. This hugely popular tour from Barcelona includes access to the basilica and the Black Madonna and has the option to add the boys’ choir.
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You can also buy individual tickets for the basilica (to view the Black Madonna from a distance) or to the Throne of the Virgin, online or at the ticket office on the day of your visit. Advance ticket purchases with a timed entry slot are recommended.
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Why is the Black Madonna black?
The Black Madonna image was not originally carved from a dark wood or painted. Restorers theorize that the face and hands of the image progressively darkened over time, either because of the smoke from candles, or because of the varnish used.
Artisans that restored the image over the centuries have painted the face and hands black.
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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!
