Montserrat

Everyone told us to go visit Montserrat for this reason or that reason.  It's only about 40 minutes from Barcelona.  The best part about Montserrat is the approach.  There is nothing like it.  It is a mass of rock alone in the woods with the most unique jagged facade.  The hill climb was challenging for the Opel, but we persevered.  On the mountain is a very old monastery built to preserve and protect the Black Virgin found there centuries ago.  Legend has it the the statue was hidden in the mountain to safeguard it from the Moorish invaders.

The line to see the statue was too long.  So we just took pictures from really far away in the church.

A funicular took us to the very top where there were hiking trails and serious views.