Basilica De Montserrat
The Basilica de Montserrat began construction in the 16th century and was completely rebuilt in 1811 after being devastated during the Peninsular War. It was designated as a minor basilica by Pope Leo XIII in 1881. The facade, designed by Francisco de Paula del Villar y Carmona in the Plateresque Renaissance style and featuring Venanci and Agapit Vallmitjana I Barbany's sculptural reliefs, was completed in 1901.
The square in front of the church is adorned with sgraffitos (1956) by Josep Obiols I Palau and the ponton Benet Martnez, which portray Montserrat's history and the world's major basilicas. Saint Anthony Mary Claret (1954), by Rafael Solanic; John I of Aragon (1956) and St. Gregory the Great (1957), by Frederic Marès; and St. Pius X, by F. Bassas, are among the statues in the square. The baptistery (1958) is on one side, with a Charles Collet-sculpted gate, and a mosaic by Santiago Padrós (1918-1971) and Josep Vila-artwork Arrufat's The Baptism of Jesus on the other. A sculpture of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, created by Rafael Solanic, is next to the baptism.
The church has only one nave, which is 68.32 meters long, 21.50 meters wide, and 33.33 meters tall. The prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel are represented by center columns carved in wood by Josep Llimona I Bruguera. The main altar, which was painted with enamel by Montserrat Mainar in 1928 and depicts biblical events such as the Last Supper, the Wedding of Cana, and the Humanity of Loa and Fish, is at the top. Lorenzo Ghiberti created the 15th-century crucifix on the altar. There is an octagonal altar on the altar. Various paintings by Alexandre de Riquer, Joan Llimona, Joaquim Vancells, Dions Baixeras, and Llus Graner can be found in the cancel.
The Basilica de Montserrat's exterior has a stone bottom sculpted in ash stone with piled sculptural design, as does the University of Salamanca's silver façade. The bottom is horizontal, with three vertical stripes dividing it. A door with a sculpted tympanic membrane opens on each strip, and the strips are separated by Corinthian columns supporting a septum; these columns are raised above the doors, creating an undulating rhythm. The upper half of the façade is oriented vertically and, unlike the lower part, does not take up the entire width of the façade, but rather sits in the middle. The figures of Jesus and the twelve apostles with individual canopies come first, followed by a great rose window flanked by columns and reliefs, and a clock on the top level. There is a cross at the end. Arcadi Pla, I Masmiquel rebuilt the basilica between 1991 and 1995. Sean Scully rebuilt the Santa Cecilia Chapel, which is located next to the convent, in 2015.
No wonder the Basilica De Montserrat is the second most beautiful historical site in Montserrat. Because the great architecture of the Basilica De Montserrat will amaze you, its beauty shimmering under the dim lights makes the Basilica De Montserrat even more beautiful. Not only that, the old sculptures on display at Basilica De Montserrat are even more honorable than ancient beauty. Today, the Basilica De Montserrat is a venue for concerts and choirs. You come to Basilica De Montserrat not only to admire the beauty here but also to enjoy free music.
Location: Montserrat Mountains
