Barcelona Field Studies Centre

Montserrat Natural Park

Montserrat Themes

Details

Travel time: 45 minutes
Spectacular limestone scenery in the Montserrat Natural Park, 60 km from Barcelona.

Montserrat, meaning 'saw-tooth mountain' was formed as a result of differential erosion and weathering resulting in highly distinctive relief features.

Montserrat is one of Catalonia's most important religious sites, with a monastery and museum on the summit.

Studies can include limestone processes and landforms, vegetation zonation, the impact of tourism and management for sustainability.

The Montserrat massif was once a delta of several rivers draining into a shallow inland sea. The rivers deposited coarse, heavy, well-rounded stones and cobbles. Heat and pressure melted the skeletal remains of sea and lake organisms forming a strong limestone cement binding the cobbles into the conglomerate that we see today.

The elevation of the land during the period that built the Alpine and Pyrenean mountain ranges led to earth movements and jointing of the rock which has had a decisive influence upon the present day relief.

The study day can include transport to the site by cable car, a visit to the Coves del Collbató caves, an afternoon visit to the nearby Torres bodega or the former industrial colony of Colònia Sedó.


Views of the Sanctuary at Montserrat.
Views of the Sanctuary at Montserrat
Limestone pedestals, Montserrat Natural Park
Limestone pedestals, Montserrat Natural Park
Guilin, China - a later stage in the weathering of the Montserrat massif
Guilin, China - a later stage in the weathering of the Montserrat massif


Montserrat caves at Coves del Collbató


This fieldwork study is supported with secondary data and takes a full day.