If someone expected that the Obamas were going to take advantage of the comfort of their hotel on top of Tibidabo, especially after dancing (or even singing) through the Bruce Springsteen concert, they couldn't be more wrong. Early in the morning the news alarms went off: The former president of the United States and his wife, Michelle Obama, were visiting the Abbey of Montserrat. They were accompanied, as always on this Barcelona getaway, by Steven Spielberg. It was not a surprise visit. Obama was waiting for the staff of the abbey with the abbot, Manel Gasch, in front, as can be seen in the photograph of the greeting, which La Vanguardia publishes exclusively.
The abbot, Manel Gasch, and the prior, Bernat Juliol, went out to meet him at 12:50 pm, on the esplanade of Santa Maria, which on a Saturday in April is usually packed with people. With the security team trying to keep their distance, the Obamas and the Spielbergs were led by the abbot to the cambril where the Mare de Deú de Montserrat, popularly known as la Moreneta, is located.
Obama, who asked about the dark aspect of the image, learned that the image that is venerated in the cambril of the church of Montserrat is a 12th century Romanesque carving made of albero and beech wood and that, with the Child Jesus in the skirt, holds in one hand a sphere that symbolizes the universe. The child raises his right hand as a sign of blessing and with his left he holds another sphere reminiscent of a pineapple, a symbol of fertility and perennial life.
Despite the fact that the image is golden, the Virgin has a dark face, which is the reason for the popular name she receives. The origin could be that the carving was blackened by the smoke from the candles that for centuries have been placed at its feet as adoration. Or it could be due to a chemical reaction of the varnish that was used to set the paint.
The abbot gave a brief explanation to the American guests about the history of the monastery and about Montserrat, and told them that in the year 2025 the thousandth anniversary of the founding of the monastery will be celebrated.
Both couples have passed in front of La Moreneta, after which they have gone to the Sacristy of the monastery. Afterwards they have mounted the Sant Joan funicular and have gone to the upper part of the viewpoint, to enjoy the views of the massif. The Obamas and the Spielbergs have walked between five and ten minutes in the direction of Pla de les Taràntules, what is known as the heart of the Tebes region, with the characteristic spiers of Les Gorres and its hermitages.
Some people who had chosen a similar route that morning were in their path with Obama's entourage. And there was a curious spontaneous reaction when some of these hikers began to sing the Virolai, the hymn dedicated to the Mare de Déu de Montserrat and which over time has become a spiritual symbol of the inhabitants of Catalonia.
Although the security team prevented Obama from gaining access to the people, the former president, always with a kind and grateful demeanor, has shown appreciation for the attention people paid him with his singing.
After the return to the funicular station, they were waiting for them to eat at Hostal Abat Cisneros, with a tasting menu from the restaurant that is characterized by culinary preparation with local products.
Shortly before 4:00 p.m., the guests left the establishment but not before taking a photo with the hotel staff who had attended them. Obama and his wife have taken different cars. The former president, the one who has taken the lead during this stay in Barcelona - the director of Schindler's List is not so expansive - was going to the airport to take the private jet, while Michelle will still remain in Barcelona.
