Sean Scully Art Space - Santa Cecília de Montserrat

Santa Cecilia de Montserrat is a place imbued with deep spiritual, historical and artistic significance. It was founded more than one thousand years ago, during the creation of Carolingian Catalonia. After the restoration of the Romanesque church by Barcelona Provincial Council (between 2013 and 2015), Sean Scully started to decorate the interior. Thanks to his artistic intervention, the church has become an important example of the intersection between Christianity and genuine avant-garde art.

History 

9th century. The territory was conquered by the Moorish invasion in the year 716 and was later won back and repopulated in the course of the creation of Carolingian Catalonia.

c. 900. The Church of Santa Cecilia de Montserrat is mentioned for the first time located near pre-Roman Castle Marro. No trace of this castle remains. Its function was probably that of a defensive watchtower for the church and the whole valley of Marganell, the nearest village.

942. The priest Cesari bought Castle Marro and the Church of Santa Cecilia for 10 ounces from his aunt Druda and cousin Ansulf.

945. On June 24, Bishop Jordi of Vic signed the foundation certificate for the Benedictine Monastery of Santa Cecilia de Montserrat. It was ruled by Abbot Cesari with the consent of Count Sunyer and Countess Riquilda of Barcelona. Riquilda was a great advocate of Cesari and his monastery.

957. Bishop Guadamir of Vic consecrates the Church of Santa Cecilia de Montserrat. The church had been restored by Abbot Cesari, and housed three altars dedicated to Saint Mary, Saint Cecilia and Saint Peter.

Sean Scully. Sean Scully is a world-renowned contemporary artist. His art intervention at Santa Cecilia de Montserrat consists of six large murals and eight stained-glass paintings. With this gift, the artist wanted to demonstrate his friendship towards the Monastery of Montserrat. The community means a lot to him because of its faith and spirituality, activity in favour of culture, love of art and music, and commitment to human rights and freedom.

HOW TO REACH

Santa Cecilia is located at Road BP-1103 (km 5,4) that joins highway A2 with the Monastery of Montserrat by Can Maçana. It takes five minutes by car from the abbey to get there.

ADMISSION

General: 7,00 €

Reduced (Student / Pensioner): 6,00 €

Children (8 - 16 years old): 4,00 €