From the Monastery of Montserrat to Manresa

The Oliba Trail starts in Montserrat, a spiritual and cultural icon of Catalonia. In this geologically unique natural setting stands the Monastery of Montserrat, founded in 1025 by Bishop and Abbot Oliba. The Benedictine abbey is dedicated to the Virgin of Montserrat, popularly known as “La Moreneta” due to the dark color of her skin.

The journey begins with the Camí dels Degotalls, a flat route lined with monuments dedicated to illustrious figures. The trail then descends through the Montserrat Mountain Natural Park until reaching Sant Cristòfol de Castellbell (in Castellbell i el Vilar), where visitors can admire Montserrat’s most emblematic peaks and rock formations from one of its most visited viewpoints.

The route continues to the Sanctuary of Viladordis, which dates back to the 12th-13th centuries. From there, you can take a detour to the city of Manresa. Here stands the imposing Seu of Manresa, a Gothic basilica that still preserves some Romanesque elements from the works initiated by Bishop and Abbot Oliba. The city is also home to the Espai Oliba, a dedicated exhibition space honoring this historical figure and his contribution to the country’s history and culture.