Sights to soothe the soul

Montserrat in north-east Spain has long been a religious site with spectacular views and impressive architecture, writes Alex Meehan.

One of the stunning views from Montserrat, a day-trip from Barcelona and still attracting pilgrims and tourists after centuries. Picture: Getty

As mountain views go, there can't be many more spectacular than those from Montserrat in north-east Spain.

Drive around an hour and a half from Barcelona and you find yourself in a small town nestled improbably atop a 1,200 metre tall mountain with the kind of architecture and landscapes usually not found outside a Peter Jackson film or an episode of Game of Thrones.

Montserrat translates as ''sawed mountain and its striking and ...