The Benedictine monastery was built on a narrow mountain terrace at an altitude of 725 meters in the IX century. When Abbot Oliva in the XI century, the monastery was significantly expanded. In 1811, during the Napoleonic wars, the monastery was badly damaged, but in 1844 it was revived and is an active monastery and now.

Montserrat Monastery - the main shrine of Catalonia, a place of pilgrimage for Christians from around the world. It contains the image of the patroness of Catalonia - La Moreneta, a wooden statue of the Virgin Mary with Child. According to legend, the statue carved Apostle Luke, and the Apostle Peter brought her to Spain in '50. Scientists date the XII century statue.

Piazza Santa Maria leaves facade of the cathedral of the monastery. The walls of the temple have survived from the XVI century, and the neo-Renaissance facade, decorated with sculptures, was erected in 1900. The lush interior of the church painted by Catalan artists. The altar is decorated with bright enamel. The glass-enclosed chapel behind the altar is kept the sacred statue of the Virgin Mary. Every day at one o'clock in the church choir sings the boys, which is considered the oldest in Europe.
Piazza Santa Maria frame gothic gallery, where the monastery is a museum - a collection of works of art, including paintings by El Greco, Picasso and Dali.

The funicular connects the monastery with caves, hermitages and chapels located in the vicinity of the monastery.