Montserrat

While the names are somewhat familiar, and both do involve mountains, it would be hard to find two places different in spirit and atmosphere than Montseny and Montserrat.

About 9:30 a.m., just as the clouds parted.

Santa Maria de Montserrat

While tourists have yet to discover Montseny, they have clearly not missed Montserrat. Part of that is the natural, magestic rock face that spreads distinctly across an otherwise flat area about 50km northwest of Barcelona. But also, Monserrat is invariably listed as the first day-trip from Barcelona. Even the typically late arising Spaniards (most sites, including those at the top, do not open until 10 a.m.) were swarming the rock faces well before noon.

The view from the plaza just outside the abbey.

A 20-minute hike leads to wonderful views of the complex

The rumor, or at least one rumor, is that the monastery near the top is one of the potential hiding places of the Holy Grail. If it is, they do not have it on display, maybe for fear of Indiana Jones (or Graham Chapman) swooping in and finding it. What it does have is a rather nice Benedictine Abbey and a spectacular view.

The Virgin of Montserrat. Visitors wait in a long queue that circles the inside of the abbey, then climb a narrow staircase to touch her.