Day seven.

(For other Pilgrimage photos, click here.)

From Nice, we embarked on a very, very long journey (bus ride was almost 10+ hours!!!!!!!!) to our next destination: España! This was where we stayed the night to rest and recharge for our tour the next day. Our itinerary went something like this: AM = Montserrat, PM= Barcelona.

Montserrat ("serrated mountain") is a mountain range in Catalonia and home of the Mare de Déu de Montserrat or the Our Lady of Montserrat. 

We went up by bus and surprise, surprise it was a motion-sickness-filled ride for me. Think of it like the bus ride going to Baguio only longer and full of sharper turns. It wasn't the most pleasant of rides for me so I spent the entire ride up with closed eyes. I was really glad when we reached the top haha!

From the parking lot, we trekked up more stairs to be able to reach the abbey. The sights below are already gorgeous to be honest.

The Funicular de la Santa Cova is a railway that leads to another shrine below, the Santa Cova de Montserrat. I actually wanted to ride the train during our free time but the very steep, very vertical ride up was a little too Final Destination for me, plus no one wanted to come haha!. Maybe next time.

On our way to the abbey!

This is Santa Maria de Montserrat Abbey. It is where the Our Lady of Montserrat, one of the patron saints of Catalonia, is enshrined. It is also home to about 70-80 monks.

When you enter, you'll see the Montserrat Basilica.

There's an area at the side of the basilica where you can light candles for your petitions or thanksgivings.

We had our private mass in one of the chapels:

After our mass, we were led to a queue where we can see the Lady of Montserrat up close and pray to Her. The Lady of Montserrat is a Madonna and Child and is also considered as a Black Madonna or La Moroneta.

After the tour, we went back to the square where we spent a few free hours. We had lunch in their cafeteria and shopped a few items in their shops.

What I had for lunch (yes, another mandatory cake slice):