OUR HISTORY

Town located at an altitude of 155 m, on the right bank of the Llobregat river, next to the road from Abrera to Manresa (C-55). It is built step by step on the south side of the Canfranc mountain range. From Monistrol de Montserrat one of the royal paths came out to climb Montserrat. The first news of Monistrol of Montserrat, called Monasteriolum, did not appear until 942 in a purchase document that made Cesari, founder and first abbot of Santa Cecilia.

The population itself did not form until the 14th century next to the bridge over the Llobregat river and the prioral palace. It was precisely under the priory of Bernat Escarrer (1300-1322) that the construction of the bridge began, which was completed, together with the priory palace, being prior Jaume de Vivers, first feudal lord of Monistrol (1348-1375). The bridge was built to facilitate the passage of the pilgrims who went to Montserrat, who until then were forced to pass the Llobregat river with a boat.

The completion of the works coincides with the arrival in Monistrol of the Black Death, which entails a significant decrease in the population: from 158 bonfires in 1358 it was passed to 97 in 1378. During the 15th century Monistrol experienced a deep crisis, from which the following century came, especially thanks to the construction fever of this period. In the 17th century, Monistrol experienced a remarkable urban growth, which has as its culminating points the creation of the Public Square, the Casa de la Vila and the Font Gran.

During the 18th century, Monistrol experienced a demographic growth thanks to the partial appearance of Monistrol de Montserrat from the foot of the mountain.

In 1787 the number of 1,341 inhabitants was reached. The industrialisation of the 19th century also came to Monistrol with strength, which led to a new increase in the population, which stood at 2,32 inhabitants at the end of the century. The increase in textile activity and the works carried out between 1920 and 1930 to bring to Monistrol de Montserrat the Manresa road and the Catalan Railways gives a new push to the town, which reaches 3,497 inhabitants in 1935. Soon, however, the ravages of the Civil War reduced the number of inhabitants, which decreased to 2,299 in 1950.

The resumption of industrial activity, the arrival at the end of the 1950s of an immigration wave from southern Spain, the installation of new industries and the increase of visitors to the Montserrat monastery, with the consequent need for personnel to attend them with all services, have returned to Monistrol a stable rate of activity, which opens up good prospects for the immediate future. In front of Monistrol de Montserrat we have the Bestorre, a circular tower, made with medium and well-square ashlars, which can be dated to the end of the 11th or early 12th century.

It currently has a fragment of a right wall and a fragment of a fallen wall that stands in the first one, so that during the War of Succession, Abbot Manuel Marrón made it fly because of fear that the supporters of Archduke Charles of Austria would not be strong.