- dkline photos

Above:  Montserrat is a mountain near Barcelona, in Catalonia, in Spain. It is the site of a Benedictine abbey, which hosts the Virgin of Montserrat sanctuary and which is identified by some with the location of the Holy Grail in Arthurian myth.

The name "Montserrat" literally means "jagged mountain" and is used because of the peculiar aspect of the edifice, which is visible from a great distance. It is composed of strikingly pink conglomerate, a form of sedimentary rock. It is very popular with climbers.

The abbey can be reached by road, by the Aeri de Montserrat cable car, or by the Montserrat Rack Railway. The lower stations of both the rack railway and the cable car can be reached by Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya train from Barcelona's Plaça d'Espanya station. From the abbey, the Funicular de Sant Joan funicular railway goes up to the top of the mountain, where there are various abandoned hovels in the cliff faces that were previously the abodes of reclusive monks, whilst the Funicular de Santa Cova descends to a shrine.

The summit of Montserrat is called Sant Jeroni (Saint Jerome) and stands at 1,236 meters (4.055 feet) above sea-level. It is accessible by hiking trails which connect from the top entrance to the Sant Joan funicular, the monastery, or the base of the mountain. From the summit, one can see in all directions (360 degrees) for many miles.

Above: The slopes of Canillo in the country of Andorra allowed us to ski for at least two and a half hours one way until we reached the French border where we enjoyed lunch and wine at the Pasa del Casa on the Andorran/French border.

Above: Freddy is always ready!  He is one of our sturdiest Mountain Folk skiers and is always prepared to have fun and seize the day.  This photo was snapped on a run of the Grand Valira.

Above: Pasa del Casa lies right on the Andorran/French border and the skiing and mountain culture is terrific!

Above: Many of our group participated in a pilgrimage to the grotto at Lourdes, France in the Pyrenees Mountains.  Here the underground springs still bubble freely with the same water that Bernadette used to cleanse away the sins of men.  Bernadette also experienced 18 different encounters with the Blessed Mother Mary in this very spot! 

Candles, symbolic of the light of peace and forgiveness, are now lit by the hundreds night and day in this place and pilgrims come by the tens of thousands from all ends of the Earth to share a moment of communion with the Spirit of and in this place.

Above: We were very fortunate to arrive at the crypt under the church that was built on the grotto of Lourdes while the Host was on display.  Just nearby and to the right is a shrine with the rib or "relic" of Saint Bernadette. 

Above: After spending more than a week in the Pyrenees Mountains our group traveled to the world-famous port of Barcelona on the Mediterranean Sea!   Music, food, art, architecture and wildlife dominate the region.  Check out the native parrots that merrily squawked in tree branches high overhead!

Above: One of the most dramatic cathedrals you'll ever see is this stunning work created by Gaudi.  It is central to Barcelona's overall artistic theme and it will remain a work in progress for decades to come. 

Above: A massive cathedral rests on the highest mountain in Barcelona and if you observe this stained glass window closely, it becomes very apparent that the artist meant this representation of the temptation of Christ by Lucifer to have happened on this high mountain overlooking the city and harbor of Barcelona.  "All of this shall be yours..."

Above: An evening of traditional folk music, dancing, food and beverages is never to be missed on our Mountain Folk journeys.  Here we enjoyed three fabulous guitarists as they provide the fire for the senorita's spirited dance!

Above: Last day in Barcelona...why not have another Sangria toast!  Here's to the mountains, their culture and the memories we make there!

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