AC 1199
The most important prehistoric remains of Montserrat have been found in the Cova Gran and Cova Freda. It is here that Early Neolithic pottery was discovered for the first time in Catalonia—pottery decorated with impressions, often made with shells.
880
880
The image of the Virgin is found, according to legend, in a cave on the mountain.
888
First documented mention of Montserrat.
S. IX
It is very likely that the four chapels existing at the end of the 9th century (Santa Maria, Sant Iscle, Sant Pere, and Sant Martí) were inhabited by hermits. Currently, only the chapel of Sant Iscle remains, located in the monastery garden.
945
Document testifying to the foundation of the monastery of Santa Cecília at Montserrat.
1025
Oliba, Abbot of Ripoll and Bishop of Vic, founds the monastery of Montserrat.
S.XII/XIII
New Romanesque church and the carving of the image of the Virgin, which is venerated in the present basilica.
1221
Cantigas of Alfonso X the Wise: beginning of the spread of the Virgin's miracles and the arrival of numerous pilgrims.
1223
Institution of the Confraternity of Our Lady of Montserrat.
1223
First evidence of the presence of a children's choir (Escolania), the oldest in Europe.
S. XIV
Beginning of Montserrat's expansion throughout Europe.
1409
The monastery becomes an independent abbey.
1476
Construction of the Gothic cloister.
1490
Installation of the printing press in Montserrat.
1493
Bernat Boíl, a former hermit of Montserrat, accompanies Christopher Columbus to America. One of the Caribbean islands is named Montserrat. Beginning of the expansion of the cult of Our Lady of Montserrat in America.
1522
Ignatius of Loyola makes a pilgrimage to Montserrat.
1592
Consecration of the current church.
S.XVI-XVIII
Various cultural activities at the monastery.
S.XVII-XVIII
Heyday of the Montserrat music school.
S.XVII-XVIII
Important foundations in Bohemia and Austria.
1811-1812
Destruction of Montserrat by Napoleon's army.
1835
Disendowment laws (Ecclesiastical confiscation). The monastery loses all its properties and is reduced to a single monk.
1844
The monks return to Montserrat.
1858
Under the leadership of Abbot Muntadas, the definitive reconstruction of Montserrat begins.
1880
Millennium celebrations of Montserrat.
1881
Celebrations for the coronation of the image of the Virgin, proclaimed Patron Saint of Catalonia.
1901
Inauguration of the new facade of the basilica.
1915
1st Liturgical Congress of Montserrat.
1931
Jubilee celebrations for the 9th centenary of the foundation of the monastery.
1936-1939
Spanish Civil War. The monks are forced to leave the monastery; during the war, twenty-three of them are tragically murdered. The autonomous government of Catalonia saves Montserrat, protecting it from destruction and looting.
1939
At the end of the war, monks return to Montserrat.
1942
Laying of the first stone for the new facade of the monastery.
1947
Celebrations of the Enthronement of Our Lady, marking the beginning of the first movement of civic reconciliation in the country after the civil war.
1950
Creation of the Montserrat Mountain Trust (Patronat de la Muntanya de Montserrat).
1959
Consecration of the high altar of the basilica, facing the liturgical assembly, along with the renovation of the presbytery and the monks' choir.
1965
2nd Liturgical Congress of Montserrat.
1968
The new facade of the monastery is completed.
1970
Sit-in by three hundred intellectuals demanding respect for human rights from Franco's dictatorship. The monastery is besieged by the police and Civil Guard for two days.
1976
Inauguration of the new restaurant services complex with large capacity for pilgrims at the entrance of the Sanctuary grounds.
1980-1981
Celebration of the centenary of the coronation of the image of the Virgin and her proclamation as Patron Saint of Catalonia.
1982
Inauguration of the new museum of modern Catalan painting.
1982
Pilgrimage of Pope John Paul II with the Church of Catalonia to Montserrat (November 7).
1986
On August 18, a major forest fire devastates a large part of the mountain.
1987
The Government of Catalonia declares the mountain of Montserrat a Natural Park.
1988
The basilica restoration project begins.
1990
3rd Liturgical Congress of Montserrat.
1991
On September 16, restoration work on the basilica begins.
1992
Celebration of the 4th centenary of the consecration of the basilica.
1995-1996
Inauguration of the exterior and interior restoration, respectively, of the basilica.
1997
On March 19, inauguration of the restored Santa Cova.
1997-1998
Celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Enthronement celebrations of Our Lady of Montserrat.
2000
Floods cause severe damage to the buildings within the complex.
2019
Road to the Millennium.
2023
Pilgrimage to Rome on the occasion of the 800th anniversary of the Confraternity. Pope Francis presents the Golden Rose to Our Lady of Montserrat.
2024
Beginning of the celebration of the Millennium of Montserrat.
