Located about 30 miles (50 km) northwest of Barcelona is Montserrat - the 'Serrated Mountain'. The mountain gets its name from the rock formations which look like they've been sawed and sculpted, the result of thousands of years of wind and rain.
This unique rock formation is home to a Benedictine monastery and is a famous pilgrimage spot as it is home to the 12th century wooden statue of La Moreneta (The Black Virgin), Catalonia's patron. The Monestir de Montserrat is a source of Catalan pride as well. During the regime of Franco, the monastery continued to hold Catholic ceremonies in the Catalan language and became a stronghold of Catalan culture despite the oppression from the government.
Besides the religious and cultural importance of Montserrat, the mountain also boasts unbeatable views from it's peaks. A cog wheel train takes visitors to a lookout point where all of Catalonia and the Pyrenees can be seen. On the clearest days, you may even catch a glimpse of the island of Mallorca to the southeast.
Getting to Montserrat is a 1-hour train or 90-minute car ride. For those looking to get the most out of your visit, it's recommended to sign up for an organized tour. A guide will provide historical commentary while leading the group through the monastery and will head the climb up the mountain to enjoy the views. Various walking paths are also marked for you to take and explore the mountain at your own pace.
