Montserrat Mil·lenari is a documentary project conceived with the aim of paying tribute to the ten centuries of history of the Monastery of Montserrat while, at the same time, offering a serene, respectful, and contemporary on the Benedictine monastic life that continues to pulse within this sacred mountain.

Through a photographic series produced over months of coexistence—and privileged access—with the community, the project seeks to bring the general public closer to a world so often idealized or unknown, revealing with naturalness and sensitivity its moments of contemplation, its silent dilemmas, and its inner richness.

The uniqueness of Montserrat lies not only in its longevity or its exceptional natural setting, but in the singular convergence of functions that intertwine here: beyond being a monastery, Montserrat is also a sanctuary dedicated to the Mother of God, La Moreneta, whose dark-skinned figure has become a spiritual, cultural, social, and emotional symbol for generations of Catalans.

The monks who inhabit this place are therefore custodians of a millenary legacy and, at the same time, hosts to one of Europe’s principal pilgrimage destinations, capable of reconciling contemplative life with the welcome of millions of visitors each year.

Coinciding with the millennium of the monastic foundation (1025–2025), the community has chosen to expand the traditional Benedictine motto—Ora et labora—with a broader, deeply humanistic formulation adapted to the present day and addressed to society as a whole: ORA, as an invitation to cultivate interior life; LEGE, to never abandon the search for wisdom through reading; LABORA, because work—manual, intellectual, or scientific—confers dignity and connects us with reality; REGE TE IPSUM, a call to govern oneself with freedom and responsibility; and IN COMMUNITATE, a reminder that fulfillment is achieved in relationship with others.

These five words or concepts encapsulate a way of understanding and being present in the world. Montserrat, with all that it represents, continues to propose a path of meaning that goes beyond faith, offering vital keys in an age that, paradoxically, rushes forward without stopping to look.

Five chapters invite us on a journey through time to discover the long and fascinating evolution of this sanctuary, unique in the world. A production by 3Cat (Catalonia), in collaboration with La Mira and Antártida, the series combines investigative journalism, historical reenactment, and firsthand testimony to deliver a deep and rigorous perspective, as well as a compelling, collective narrative of Montserrat’s trajectory.

Through a chronological approach, the five episodes explore some of the most significant moments of this sacred mountain and its monastery—from the legend of the discovery of the Holy Image of the Mother of God, La Moreneta, to the modern era. The documentary traces periods of great splendor and expansion, as well as times of crisis, conflict, and destruction.

The series features interviews with leading experts who provide context, reflection, and perspective, alongside the invaluable testimony of the Benedictine monks themselves, who offer a living and intimate view of life within the monastery. The complementary use of historical fiction sequences helps recreate key moments and bring the protagonists of each era to life, humanizing them and drawing today’s audience closer to their stories.