The Montserrat massif has always been, and continues to be, the protagonist of legends and mysteries that envelop it in a magical mantle, very attractive for the thousands of visitors who visit it every year. In previous publications we have told you about the Balneari de la Puda, the origin of the Moreneta and Heinrich Himmler’s visit to the monastery, but do you know everything that is hidden inside this characteristic mountain?
In this post, we are going to share you the little legends that surround Montserrat, focusing especially on its surroundings and its unknown interior, a great mystery for everyone. From underground rivers, sounds of drums, to pacts with the devil and the presence of UFOs, these are some of the stories that have been heard since time immemorial.
If you want to discover all these stories in person, don’t think twice and visit Montserrat. Remember that you can move to Barcelona or surroundings, with Shuttle2Sun‘s shared transfer services and private transfer services, low-cost and sustainable, from Barcelona airport, Barcelona port, Reus airport, Girona airport and Camp de Tarragona AVE train station. Remember that you can book your transfer up to 24 hours in advance.
A mysterious underground river
Inside the enigmatic mountain of Montserrat, there is a mystery that has intrigued many: the possible existence of an underground river. This hidden river would be connected to the so-called Mentirosas de Monistrol, two small sources of water that intermittently emerge from the mountain. These springs, despite their long periods of inactivity, form part of the complex karstic system of the Montserrat massif.
The Mentirosas, occasional springs from the Gran fountain located in the village square of Monistrol, release water only under very specific conditions, which has led to the theory that they may be fed by an interior reservoir. The gallery of one of these fountains can be followed along an underground route of about 40 metres, suggesting the existence of hidden channels in the interior of the mountain.
The capricious behaviour of these springs, together with the geological complexity of Montserrat, has fuelled the legend of an underground river flowing deep into the rock. This river could be part of a network of underground currents yet to be discovered.
Hollow interior
Another theory claims that the interior of the mountain is hollow, harbouring a vast network of as yet unknown cavities and tunnels.
This belief is linked to telluric forces, natural energies that are said to flow intensely in Montserrat, due to its peculiar geology.
The caves of Montserrat, such as the Cave of St. Ignatius and the Holy Cave, are key points of these legends. They are not only of spiritual importance, but have also been places of pilgrimage and reflection for centuries. In addition, the complex system of caves includes the well-known Salnitre Caves, which are accessible to the public and show the geological richness of the site with stalactite and stalagmite formations.
The theory of Montserrat’s hollow interior is also fed by stories of secret tunnels and passages connecting these cavities, reinforcing the idea that the mountain hides much more than meets the eye.
Remember that with Shuttle2Sun‘s low-cost and sustainable shared transfer services and private transfer services, you can get to Barcelona and surroundings, from Barcelona airport, Barcelona port, Reus airport, Girona airport and Camp de Tarragona AVE train station.
The Cavall Bernat
The legend of the Cavall Bernat in Montserrat is one of the most emblematic in the region. This unique rocky spire, which stands imposingly on the highest part of the mountain of Montserrat, has inspired numerous myths and popular tales.
One of the best known tells the story of a woodcutter who made a pact with the devil to obtain a very strong horse called Bernat, which helped him transport firewood to the Llobregat river very quickly. The agreement included a clause: in ten years, the woodcutter had to give the devil another horse with similar conditions.
When the time came, the woodcutter, who had forgotten the promise, was saved by the intervention of the Virgin, after his wife prayed for her husband to be forgiven. A divine light appeared, and, after dissipating, the horse Bernat and the devil disappeared, leaving in their place the imposing rock that we know today as the Cavall Bernat, a spire that rises up pointing to the sky.
The Timbaler del Bruc
It is worth remembering that Napoleon’s troops fought against the Catalans at Montserrat in 1808, during The Peninsular War. This combat, at the foot of the mountain, is known as the Battle of the Bruc, and has also given rise to several legends.
One version tells that, while the French troops were resting at the base of the mountain, stones fell on them and their drums, the sound of which alerted the Catalan soldiers to their presence.
Another legend says that a young Catalan from Santpedor, known as the Timbaler del Bruc, beating his drum as he walked along the mountain, made the sound echo so loudly in the cavities of Montserrat that the French troops, believing that a large army was stalking them, fled in terror.
Presence of UFOs and access to other worlds
Because of its magical aura, Montserrat has also been the scene of many sightings of lights, which ufologists believe could be UFOs. So much so, that every 11th of every month, aficionados of this field gather to try to see these craft. There are also those who say that in the mountain there are portals to other dimensions, specifically, to the underground kingdom of the gods, known as Agartha.
As you can see, Montserrat is full of legends and mysteries yet to be deciphered. Remember that you can get to Barcelona and surroundings, with Shuttle2Sun‘s shared transfer services and private transfer services, low-cost and sustainable, from Barcelona airport, Barcelona port, Reus airport, Girona airport and Camp de Tarragona AVE train station. Remember that you can book your transfer up to 24 hours in advance.
