One of my favorite parts of visiting Montserrat was the Santa Cova trail. Legend says that the Virgin was found in this cave and when the men tried to transport her to Manresa, she grew too heavy to carry. Therefore, a monastery was built in the location where she was found.

All along the trail to the small chapel are statues that tell the story of Christ’s life. Each one uses the landscape to heighten the affect of the message.

The Santa Cova chapel is built right into the mountainside and is the same pink color of the local sedimentary rock.

Inside is a shrine where people have left items of thanks to the Virgin, including signed sports pennants, an ultrasound photo, and a pair of children’s crutches.

The hike to the chapel was well worth the climb and the outdoor sculptures made stopping to rest for a minute even more enjoyable.