You are at the Tarantulas plain. This is the starting point for enjoying the natural and eremitical heritage of Montserrat through trails that will guide you around this important but still largely unknown mountain heritage.
You can choose between short trails that are easily accessible for everyone and sloghtly more complicated routes that will require more time and calm to enjoy the mountain.
The hermitages of Montserrat
The eremitical complex of montserrat was made up of 13 hermitages scattered around the high part of the mountain in two large areas: Thebes (the area where you are) and Thebaid (the area above the monastery). These names refer to the Egyptian desert where the Fathers of monasticism began the Christian eremitical tradition. initially they were situated in areas close to the monastery but over time they occuoied more distant and inaccessible areas in order to ensure the solitude hermits.
In organisational terms, the hermitages were dependent on the monastery, although each had his own prayer and dwelling spaces, as well as vegetable plots for food. Records are preserved of some 300 hermits and anchorites who lived in the hermitages of montserrat until the 19 th century.
Between 1811 and 1812, during Peninsular War, this eremitical complex was razed to the ground. A part of the complex has now been restored and can be visited.
Trail 1 : From the tarantulas plain to the hermitages of Sant Joan and Sant Onofre
This is a straightforward return trail along the flat and easily accessible path that leads to the hermitages of Sant Joan and Sant Onofre, wicch have been recently restored by the Montserrat Mountain Trust. The hermitages complex still preserves other structures, such as tanks and channels of water collection and storage. The path also offers outstanding view of the southern side of the mountain.
Trail 2: Tarantulas plain – Sant Miquel – Montserrat monastery
This path is one of the mountain’s easiest and most straightforward trails. From the Tarantulas Plain you take the left-hand path and begin the descent to the monastery. This path winds its way down, passing by the Chapel of Sant Miquel (a modern construction) and the vantage point and cross of Sant Miquel, affording magnificient views of the northeastern side of the area that sorrounds the mountain. At the end of the parth you will find a camoing area, the scilpture walk and othe rest areas.
Montserrat tours 