Montserrat Mountain, Marganell

This spectacularly beautiful mountain, located to the north of Barcelona, is one of Catalonia's most important religious sites. The peaks are shaped like fingers pointing to the sky and you'll find an impressive church, monastery and museum on the summit. According to legend, a shepherd found a statue of the Virgin in a cave here and that's why they built the church and monastery on the mountain. The Virgin was black (like many other Romanesque images) and that's why she's known as La Moreneta (the dark one). To get here, take the direct bus to the monastery or an FGC suburban train to Monistrol and then the cable car to the top. It's an easy day trip from Barcelona.