43403NOR
Basilica inside visit with local guide
· There is now an entrance charge for the basilica of 7€ online or 8€ on the spot. Check with office to see if this is covered by a voucher or you have to pay on the spot.
· If you have an entrance time please take this into consideration when planning your visit.
· To avoid disappointment, check with local guide or call Montserrat information in advance to see that the Escolania boys singing are singing (they are sometime away on tour or during public holidays).
· Departure time is at 10 to allow the group to see/hear the Escolania before having to head back to Barcelona. Earlier departure time is possible, but this means you will not be able to see the Escolania – liaise with local guide re timings
· If your visit falls on a Sunday or a public holiday it can take A LOT longer to arrive at Montserrat. Adjust departure time according to the local guide’s suggestion. If you plan any changes to departure time, you need to liaise with the Madrid office to let the bus company know in advance.
· Please make sure everyone in your group has their whispers sets before heading out on sightseeing ( and that you have the microphone/s for the local guide)
10:00 Depart Barcelona with local guide for Montserrat, which is 60 kms north-west, a very important religious site with amazing mountain views.
11:00 Arrive in Montserrat. Make a rendezvous for departure at 13:15. Your guide will lead the group. (In the event you do not have a guided visit: From bus drop-off walk the group up steep stairs to the Basilica. Go through the first facade of the Basilica and enter the courtyard. To the right of the entrance to the church is a small door which is the entrance to view the Black Madonna. Go through the door and follow the passage which brings you out behind the altar (where the Black Madonna is located), and round back to the courtyard again). Please note that entry to see the Black Madonna closes from 10:30-12:30 so this must be done first. A line forms around 12:15, and it is worth getting in line at that time to avoid a long wait. If your group is going to
hear the Escolania sing as well, then you should go straight into the church after you have seen the Madonna to get a place.
Every day at 13.00 (not in July) the Escolania sing for about 10 minutes. Those interested should get to the Basilica by 12:30 as it gets full.
Afterwards suggest to the group that they take the St. Joan funicular to the top where there are wonderful views (there is a fee). At the top it is a 30-minute walk to the Hermitage of Sant Joan. Make sure students are accompanied by an adult. It takes an hour or more to reach the summit on foot – this should be discouraged as it is not possible to buy funicular tickets from the top to get down quickly. Another option is to take the path back down to the left-hand side – it takes about 30 minutes to reach the funicular station back down at the bottom.
By the Basilica there is a 20th century art museum with works by Picasso, Dali etc. (entrance fee).
13:15 Depart Montserrat.
14:30 Arrive in Barcelona.
