The Hermitages
The Hermitages features on the Gingerguide audio walk through Montserrat. Give it roughly ~90 min: enough to look, hear a two to three minute story on the spot, and ask the AI guide whatever the story leaves open.
- Type historic
- Suggested visit ~90 min
- Montserrat Montserrat guide
About The Hermitages
Scattered across the mountain are the chapels where, for centuries, hermits lived alone in prayer. Most were wrecked by Napoleon's army; a few, rebuilt, still cling to the cliffs, reached only on foot.
For centuries Montserrat was not only a monastery but a mountain of hermits, who lived alone in tiny chapels scattered across its heights, about a dozen at a time, under a strict rule of enclosure and silence. Among them were Sant Joan, Sant Jeroni, Sant Benet, Sant Dimes, Santa Magdalena and Sant Miquel.
Most of the hermitages were destroyed by Napoleon's army in 1811-1812, and many survive only as ruined walls, cisterns and terraces on the cliffs. A few chapels were rebuilt in the 19th and 20th centuries. They are reached only on foot, by old mountain paths; the chapel of Sant Miquel, near the Collbató route, was the first point from which climbing pilgrims could see the monastery.
Did you know? For centuries Montserrat was a mountain of hermits, who lived alone in tiny chapels scattered across its heights, about a dozen at a time, under a strict rule of enclosure and silence.
How long is a visit to The Hermitages?
Set aside roughly ~90 min for The Hermitages. That covers a good look and the narrated story, and because you set the pace you can always stay on.
Is The Hermitages worth your time?
The Hermitages is among the 13 narrated highlights the Gingerguide team chose for Montserrat, so it is worth a look. Hear the story for the context, then ask the AI guide for anything more.
Nearby stops in Montserrat
Day 2 of the Montserrat in 2 days itinerary →
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Hear the story of The Hermitages
Preview the Montserrat tour free in the Gingerguide app.