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I dedicate this series of photographs for Las Fotos de los Lectores de La Vanguardia, taken in Calle Ballesteries in Girona, to my mother, Montserrat.
The Virgin of Montserrat is the main patron saint of Catalonia. On this street in Girona we can see her image on a façade.
The dedication to the Moreneta has its legendary origin in the discovery by a shepherd of a dark-skinned image of the Virgin Mary hidden inside a cave.
Later, in that place where hermits were already abundant, Abbot Oliva, of Ripoll and bishop of Vic, founded the monastery that housed the found image and the monks of the Benedictine order.
The entire Montserrat complex - mountain, sanctuary and image - has acquired the character of a national symbol for the Catalans.
Every year it attracts thousands of pilgrims from all over the world, especially from Catalonia, but also from outside Catalan lands.
As a significant example of the deep devotion of the Catalans to Moreneta, it is worth noting the large number of churches that have dedicated altars to her and the many girls, boys and women whose name is Montserrat.
