Sant Joan
Sant Joan is one of the narrated stops on the self-guided Montserrat audio walking tour in Gingerguide. Plan about ~90 min here. Press play at the spot for its two to three minute story, or ask the AI guide anything about it.
- Type nature
- Suggested visit ~90 min
- Montserrat Montserrat guide
About Sant Joan
A steep funicular climbs from the monastery to the high ground of Sant Joan, with sweeping viewpoints, mountain trails and a nature centre, and a chapel beside the ruins of a hermitage burned by Napoleon.
From the monastery a steep funicular railway, reputedly the steepest in Spain, climbs some two hundred and fifty metres to the high ground of Sant Joan, at about a thousand metres above the sea. Its upper station has a viewpoint and a nature centre for the Montserrat park and the surrounding UNESCO Geopark.
From here, walking trails fan out across the mountain. A short path leads to the chapel of Sant Joan, built in 1899 on a ledge, beside the ruins of a much older hermitage destroyed by Napoleon's troops in 1811. The high plateau is the usual starting point for the walk to the summit of Sant Jeroni.
Did you know? From the monastery a steep funicular, reputedly the steepest in Spain, climbs about two hundred and fifty metres to the high ground of Sant Joan, around a thousand metres above the sea.
How long should you spend at Sant Joan?
Plan about ~90 min at Sant Joan. That is enough to take it in and hear its narrated story; stay longer if it grabs you. The tour is self-guided, so there is no rush.
Is Sant Joan worth visiting?
Sant Joan is one of the 13 sights the Gingerguide team researched and narrated in Montserrat, so it earns a place on a self-guided walk. Its story explains why it matters, and you can ask the AI guide anything the story leaves open.
Nearby stops in Montserrat
Day 2 of the Montserrat in 2 days itinerary →
Updated:
Hear the story of Sant Joan
Preview the Montserrat tour free in the Gingerguide app.