Description
Montserrat is a mountain in the geographical cen tre of Catalonia. It has a highly unusual outline and a characteristic silhouette, which is why it is known as the magical mountain'. And the same time, it is a Benedictine monastery, dating back to the IX Century as a church dedicated to the Virgin. The statue that is venerated today, which represents the Virgin seated on a throne with the infant Jesus on her knees, is from the end of the XII century. The face of this image has been gradually darkened by the smoke from the lamps and by the thousands and thousands of candles that have been burning all around it for centuries. That is why the statue is popularly known as La Moreneta (The Little Dark One).
This mountain, this image and this monastery have made Montserrat one of the symbols of Catalonia. By knowing its history, its legends and its scenery, we can better understand why Montserrat has become what it is today.
