The Montserrat Rack Railway is one of the main routes to approach the Montserrat Sanctuary site, an essential step to access the center of the site. The San Juan and Santa Cova Funiculars, on the other hand, facilitate access to the Montserrat Mountain Natural Park, in the Bages region. Through these sustainable means of transport, citizens have the opportunity to live a unique experience in the middle of nature, visiting the most important and significant mountain in Catalonia, since, thanks to its surprising characteristics, it has become one of the symbols Catalans.
The Rack Train travels 5 kilometers, overcomes a difference in altitude of 600 meters and lasts 15 minutes. The journey begins at the Monistrol de Montserrat station and goes to the Sanctuary grounds. Thanks to the panoramic glass, passengers can see impressive views of the Llobregat Valley and the particular shapes of the Montserrat mountains.
Once there, visitors will find the two funiculars:
The San Juan Funicular runs a distance of 503 meters and overcomes a slope of 65%, offering an aerial view of the Monastery at 1,000 meters above sea level and a panoramic view of Anoia from Pla de les Taràntules, as well as one of the best perspectives of the Sanctuary from the viewpoint of the upper station. In addition, it has the Interpretation Center of the Geoparc of Central Catalonia and the Montserrat Mountain Natural Park.
The Santa Cova Funicular measures a distance of 262 meters and overcomes a difference in altitude of 118 meters. It connects the Sanctuary with the Cave Road where, according to legend, some shepherds found the image of the Virgin of Montserrat. In addition, on the Cova path you can see the monumental Rosario, the most important outdoor sculptural complex of Catalan modernism.
This iconic place is located just over an hour and a half, by public transport, from the city of Barcelona. Starting with the combined Train + Rack Railway ticket, users access Montserrat with an economical and sustainable option, arriving in the middle of the Sanctuary grounds alternating train and Rack Railway.
You can also enjoy the experience in Montserrat thanks to the combined packages from Plaza España to Barcelona: the TRANS Montserrat ticket that, in addition to the train and rack railway, includes access to the Sant Joan Funicular and the viewpoint, the Santa Cueva Funicular (when in service), entrance to the Audiovisual Space, and direct access, without prior reservation, to the Throne of the Virgin; and the TOT Montserrat ticket, which in addition to the advantages offered by TRANS Montserrat includes access to the museum and lunch at the Montserrat buffet.
News
Regarding new developments, the recent implementation of the
Platform for People with Reduced Mobility (PMR) in the
San Juan Funicular stands out and, in this way, accessibility and inclusion in this means of transport is expanded. This initiative joins the adaptation already existing in the Montserrat Rack Railway, reinforcing accessibility for all.
There is also the interactive exhibition at the lower station of the Santa Cueva Funicular, opened on August 15. The exhibition immerses the visitor in the legend of this emblematic space through information panels, images, film projections and interactive screens. The exhibition offers a unique experience to connect with the history, culture and emotions of Montserrat. Admission is free with the Santa Cueva Funicular ticket.
Activities around the Montserrat Rack Railway
Nature and adventure
- Hiking and routes: Montserrat offers a wide variety of routes and itineraries for all levels, from light walks to more demanding ascents.
- Climbing: From the upper station of the San Juan Funicular, there are multi-level climbing routes that lead to the most emblematic peaks of Montserrat. It is a unique experience for adrenaline lovers.
Culture and knowledge
- The Audiovisual Space of Montserrat: This is an exhibition that explains what Montserrat is and what it means. The exhibition revolves around three fundamental axes: mountain, monastery and sanctuary.
- The Museum of Montserrat: The museum, with permanent and traveling exhibitions, stands out for housing works by such important painters as Picasso, Dalí or Rusiñol. The space was also designed in 1929 by Josep Puig i Cadafalch within the framework of the general project to reform the monastery's squares.
- The Geoparc and Natural Park Interpretation Center: Located at the Mirador de Sant Joan, visitors can discover a space full of history of the characteristic mountain of Montserrat, as well as its climatic conditions and the variety of native flora and fauna..
- Exhibition of the old rack railway: A journey in time to learn about the history of the Montserrat rack railway through texts, photographs, posters and a projection.
- Exhibition space "The Holy Cave: Path of emotions": Immerses visitors in the legend of the Virgin of Montserrat and allows them to discover its origins. They learn the history of the construction of the chapel, explore the natural environment of the Camino de la Cova and enjoy an interactive tour of the mysteries of the Monumental Rosary.
- Montserrat Sanctuary: A sanctuary rich in history and culture, just 50 kilometers from Barcelona. You can visit the Sanctuary of the Virgin and the Escolanía de Montserrat.
