We went up by funicular, winding through misty peaks that made the whole mountain feel completely ethereal.
The name Montserrat means “jagged mountain” in Catalan, referring to the mountain’s sharp, saw-like peaks. According to legend, angels descended from heaven with a golden saw to carve the mountain, creating a throne for the Virgin Mary.
But the legend of Montserrat goes beyond angels and saws. It centers on a miraculous discovery of the Virgin Mary statue in a cave, which led to the founding of the monastery and centuries of pilgrimage.
Here’s the fuller story:
The Miracle of the Black Madonna
• Around the 9th century, shepherds saw a bright light and heard heavenly music coming from a cave in the mountain.
• Inside, they discovered a statue of the Virgin Mary — later known as La Moreneta, the Black Madonna.
• When church officials tried to move the statue to Manresa, it became impossibly heavy, which was interpreted as a divine sign that she wanted to remain in Montserrat.
THE MONASTERY'S ORIGINS
• A chapel was built on the site of the discovery, eventually becoming the Santa Maria de Montserrat Abbey.
• Over time, Montserrat became a major pilgrimage site, especially for Catalans, and the Virgin of Montserrat was declared patroness of Catalonia alongside Saint George.
SPIRITUAL AND CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE
• The legend blends nature, miracle, and devotion, making Montserrat both a sacred and symbolic place.
• Pilgrims visit not just for the Black Madonna, but also for the mountain’s spiritual energy and dramatic beauty.
This candle-lined walkway is part of the Camí de l’Ave Maria (Ave Maria Path), a devotional route at Montserrat that visitors follow after viewing the Black Madonna.This path is part of the pilgrimage experience, offering a quiet moment for reflection after seeing the statue
Each flame represents a prayer, hope, or remembrance.
Group photo
Our visit ended with a breathtaking cable car descent—gliding through a veil of fog and clouds past the cliffs for one last look at that mystical mountain.
From the quiet heights of Montserrat, we made our way back into the heart of Barcelona for a very different kind of awe — Gaudí’s Sagrada Família.
We arrived at Sagrada Família full of anticipation, but couldn’t get inside — our tour leader had tried to book tickets months in advance, with no luck. It was disappointing, especially after hearing so much about the interior. Still, standing beneath those spires was something in itself.
La Sagrada Família is a Roman Catholic basilica in Barcelona, designed by Antoni Gaudí, and has been under construction since 1882. It is one of Spain’s most iconic landmarks and a major draw for visitors from around the world.
FUN FACTS
Architectural Style
• The basilica blends Gothic Revival, Art Nouveau, and Modernisme Català.
• Gaudí transformed the original neo-Gothic design into his signature organic style, drawing inspiration from nature and geometry.
Construction Timeline
• Work began in 1882, and Gaudí took over in 1883, dedicating the last 15 years of his life entirely to the project.
• Construction continues today, with projected completion around 2034.
Towers & Symbolism
• The structure features 18 towers: 12 for the apostles, 4 for the evangelists, 1 for the Virgin Mary, and the central Jesus Christ tower, which in October 2025 became the tallest church in the world at 162.91 metres (534 ft).
• When fully completed, it is expected to reach approximately 172 metres.
UNESCO & Consecration
• Parts of the basilica are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• It was consecrated by Pope Benedict XVI in 2010, officially earning the status of a minor basilica.
Interior Experience
• The stained-glass windows fill the basilica with coloured light, creating a dynamic, almost magical atmosphere that changes throughout the day.
• A truly unforgettable experience for visitors.
Even from the outside, the Sagrada Família is incredible — every inch of the façade tells a story. You’ll see scenes from the Nativity carved like a giant stone storyboard, animals peeking out between the figures, vines and fruits symbolising nature, and little hidden details you only notice when you look closely. So many tiny things carved into every corner… you could stare at it for hours and still spot something new.
It’s wild to think that we stood before the Sagrada Família on 16 October 2025, unaware we had just witnessed a world wonder—only to discover, once we were back in Malaysia, that days later on 30 October it was declared the tallest church in the world. ¡Madre mía!
Park Güell was the next gem on our itinerary.
Park Güell felt like stepping into a candy land, where gingerbread houses wore mosaic frosting and El Drac, the iconic mosaic salamander, guarded the gates like an enchanted creature from a fairytale. The gatehouses looked straight out of Hansel and Gretel, with swirled rooftops and sugar-spun chimneys, while the serpentine bench curled like a ribbon of turrón, inviting us to sit and soak in the kaleidoscope of colors. Gaudí didn’t just build a park—he baked a dreamscape, glazed it with ceramic, and served it with panoramic views of Barcelona.
Park Güell was originally designed as a failed housing project, not a public park. Antoni Gaudí and his patron Eusebi Güell envisioned a modern residential estate with homes, a market, and communal spaces, far from the bustle of central Barcelona. Only two houses were ever built, and the idea never took off—yet what emerged instead became one of the city’s most beloved landmarks.
Love the intricacy of this serpentine bench—every curve and tile feels thoughtfully placed, like Gaudí was sketching with color.
I ducked into a twisting stone corridor at Park Güell, and for a moment, I forgot the city existed. Vaulted ceilings curled overhead, walls rough and alive, echoes chasing my footsteps. Sunlight leaked through cracks, casting weird, magical patterns. It felt like a secret cave Gaudí had carved just for wandering souls—part playground, part cathedral, all wonder.
The hubs, Son#1, and I—along with 27 other Malaysians—took a red-eye from Kuala Lumpur to Barcelona: six hours to Dubai, a three-hour layover, then another six hours across Europe. After nearly 12 hours in the air with barely any shut-eye, we landed in a dazed mix of sleep deprivation and excitement only long-haul travelers know. Barcelona is six hours behind Kuala Lumpur. A coach was waiting to whisk us straight into our first taste of the city.
It was late afternoon when we began our walking tour. Since it was Day 1 (and we’d just come straight from the airport), the itinerary was kept light—a relaxed stroll with photo stops at Casa Milà and Casa Batlló. Afterward, we wandered around Passeig de Gràcia, La Rambla, and Ciutat Vella. We made a quick stop at La Boqueria Market before heading to dinner.
Casa Batlló
Casa Batlló was originally built in 1877 by architect Emilio Sala Cortés. Gaudí transformed it between 1904 and 1906, turning a conventional building into a modernist marvel.
Casa Batlló is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Antoni Gaudí’s most iconic architectural masterpieces, located on Passeig de Gràcia.
Here are some fascinating facts about Casa Batlló:
- 🐉 Dragon symbolism: The building’s roof resembles the spine of a dragon, referencing the legend of Saint George, Catalonia’s patron saint. The cross-shaped turret represents the knight’s sword plunged into the dragon’s back.
- 🌊 Marine inspiration: Gaudí drew inspiration from the sea, incorporating wave-like forms, iridescent tiles, and organic shapes throughout the façade and interiors.
- 🦴 Skull and bone balconies: The balconies resemble masks or skulls, and the supporting columns look like bones, earning the nickname “House of Bones”.
- 🌍 Sustainable design: Gaudí reused materials and incorporated natural ventilation and lighting, making Casa Batlló an early example of eco-conscious architecture.
- 🎨 No straight lines: True to Gaudí’s style, the building avoids straight lines, favoring curves and asymmetry to evoke natural forms.
- 🏆 Cultural significance Casa Batlló was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005 for its outstanding contribution to modernist architecture.
Casa Milà
🌪️ Casa Milà: Gaudí’s Stone Storm
🏛️ Nickname: La Pedrera (“The Stone Quarry”) — locals thought it looked like a wave-carved cliff.
👷 Architect: Antoni Gaudí, completed in 1912 — his last civil project before devoting himself to the Sagrada Família.
🔄 Design Quirk: It has no straight lines — even the walls and floors ripple like water.
🛠️ Hidden Innovation: Beneath its sculptural rooftop chimneys lies one of Europe’s first self-supporting steel structures, allowing open-plan apartments.
🛡️ Symbolism: The rooftop chimneys resemble warriors guarding the city, and the building’s curves echo natural forms like sea waves and mountain ridges.
Plaça Catalunya
Plaça de Catalunya isn’t just a big square — it’s a giant playground for pigeons… and children who think they can outrun them. I stood there for a while watching kids dash across the open space, arms flapping like mini bullfighters, while hundreds of plump pigeons lifted off in slow, dramatic waves. The parents looked exhausted, the kids looked delighted, and the pigeons looked like they’d seen it all before. Somehow, it all felt perfectly Barcelona — chaotic, lively, and a little bit funny.
And then there’s this striking fountain statue — a woman on a horse holding a ship, part of Barcelona’s fascinating mix of art and history that pops up in the city’s squares and corners. It’s a small reminder of the city’s maritime roots, classical artistry, and the little surprises that make wandering here so endlessly charming.
Seeing these black and yellow taxis makes me feel like they could transform into Bumblebee (Transformer) any moment!
Right at the corner of Ben & Jerry’s, this tiny, centuries-old fountain sits tucked away — an unexpected little twist of Barcelona. Who would ever expect to stumble upon a fountain that's part of the facade of a nondescript building?
Portaferrissa Fountain
Dating back to 1604 and moved here in 1680, the Font de la Portaferrissa is adorned with 373 ceramic tiles depicting Barcelona’s old city gate, daily life, and Saint Josep Oriol — its water was once thought to have healing powers.
Mare de Déu de Betlem church
La Rambla
La Boqueria Market
When you finally taste empanadas in Spain itself — that’s the real McCoy, no imposters allowed.
Dinner @ Mussol
Mussol means owl in Catalan — the language and culture native to Catalonia, the northeastern region of Spain where Barcelona is located. Catalan is distinct from Spanish, with its own words, sounds, and rich traditions that shape much of the city’s character.
The owl isn’t just the restaurant’s namesake — it’s also a symbol of wisdom and quiet observation, perfectly matching the warm, thoughtful spirit of Mussol. This lovely owl sculpture felt like a fitting tribute to the name and meaning behind it. 🦉
After a colorful array of tapas, we savored Rape a la brasa amb patates al caliu at Mussol.
Grilled monkfish with ember-roasted potatoes, smoky and tender, served the Catalan way: simple, bold, and unforgettable.
A tiring yet exhilarating Day 1 of our 12-day journey through Spain and Portugal.
By the way, for anyone guessing we were in San Francisco… nope! Just us in front of Portugal’s April 25th Bridge. Gotcha! 😏
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