Today in Barcelona we did a disappointing city drive, we were on the wrong side of the bus for every single highlight except the Olympic stadium (which we don't care to see). What little we could see from the other side of the bus looked so good, I was so bummed that I couldn't get photos.
We actually stepped off the bus to have a photo opportunity at La Sagrada Familia. However, the highlight of the trip was the Montserrat Benedictine Monastery Complex.
La Sagrada Familia, a UNESCO World Heritage site is the work and burial site of architect Antoni Gaudi. Construction began in 1882, and is still going today. It reminded me of something out of a fairy tale, like the witches candy house in Hansel and Gretel. Each to their own, it is certainly eye catching. Antoni Gaudi met a sad end, he was hit by a tram. He didn't dress very well in his later days, people thought he was a beggar and just left him for dead on the street.
Montserrat Benedictine Monastery Complex is nestled in a mountain crevice in Montserrat. This religious retreat has a museum with original works by Monet and other great artists. There is also a choir school for boys, and the famous black Madonna statue (black statue of Mary and the baby Jesus). The world's oldest publishing house, established in 1499, is also located here.
We walked right around the church. Each side is very different and has its own story.
Montserrat Benedictine Monastery Complex.
Views.
The church
Inside the church. The black Madonna is up where the man in the red shirt is, way above the alter. You have to wait in a line that is approximately 1 hour long to touch the statue.
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