Literally "serrated mountain" the peculiar rock forms of Monserrat are host to Catalunya's most important Christian site, the Benedictine monastery which houses the shrine of the Virgin of Monserrat. This black virgin is very sacred to the Catalans and has been a pilgrimage destination since medieval times, attracting the faithfull from all over Europe including St Ignacio de Loyola in 1522. The special rock forms are said to have inspired some of Gaudi's most famous works and, occupying a vantage point over the Catalan lowlands which on a clear day offers views as far as Mallorca, Monserrat is these days a popular day out for visitors to the region.