As we walked from the lot, we saw many vendors who had set up their tents. They are there every day.

This photo shows the offerings of one of the vendors. Our Cruise Critic group added to the economy.

We rode on a bus, but many tourists and locals ride the train the 45 km. Then, one can ride the funicular up to Santa Maria de Montserrat.

Or, if you would rather get some exercise, you can walk up to the 4000' abbey.

We saw several who rode up this way. Not for me!

There is a hotel on site for those who want to spend a lot of time there.

This is the main entrance. I was told that the floor tile was designed to resemble a floor in Rome. There were hundreds of people there on this sunny morning.

The Benedictine Monks have been publishing books at the abbey since 1499. During the Napoleonic Wars, much of the facility was destroyed and it wasn't until late in the 19th century before it was rebuilt.

There is a school on the grounds. The students stay in dormitories there. The boys' choir is one of the big draws for visitors. They perform Monday through Friday at noon. You must get there early in order to get a seat. We arrived about 10 and walked through the buildings and had to hurry to find seating.

The monks perform on Saturdays.

Don Juan de Aragon was the only son of Ferdinand and Isabella. He died at age 19 shortly after getting married. It has been reported that those first few months were just too strenuous on the young man! What a way to go!

In my next post (Barcelona part 3), I will show you the interior of this amazing Basilica.

Jim. love your pictures and the narratives.
It gives me something that I can't get here in Silicon Valley, and that is world history.

Awesome environment, stark landscape and imagine the labor to erect the buildings and the decorations and the artwork.