Sant Joan funicular railway
Sant Joan funicular railway
A unique experience with the best panoramic bird’s-eye views of the mountain and the monastery
This funicular offers a spectacular panoramic view of Montserrat mountain, 1,000 m above sea level. The viewpoint offers a bird’s-eye view of the monastery as well as spectacular views of the surrounding area and the Pyrenees.
At Sant Joan station at the top you can visit the Nature Centre where you will find information on the history of the mountain, its climate, flora and fauna.
At the top of the mountain, from Pla de les Taràntules, it is interesting to do day trips or walks that are signposted along the way, with different difficulty levels and length, to suit everyone.
The journey up Sant Joan funicular is a unique experience, with a steep slope gradient (more then 65%), travelling 503 metres in seven minutes.
Sant Joan funicular railway was opened in 1918 and was built to connect the outside of the monastery with Sant Joan Chapel, which is on the top of the mountain, where there is also a viewpoint. In 1997 the infrastructure was modernised and the funiculars had new panoramic vehicles installed, for visitors to fully enjoy the journey.
Funicular Railways
Both Montserrat funicular railways run through the Mare de Déu sanctuary. Sant Joan and Santa Cova funicular railways were built in 1918 and 1929 respectively, to take pilgrims and visitors up to the most emblematic places in the mountain – Sant Joan and Santa Cova hermitages, where tradition says that the Mare de Déu image was found.
