Escorca
The municipality of Escorca is located in the mountain range of Tramuntana, on the north coast. It is the only Mallorcan municipality without an historic population centre, although it is the biggest one in Serra de Tramuntana. It borders the municipalities of Pollença, Campanet, Selva, Mancor de la Vall,Alaró, Bunyola, Sóller, Fornalutx and the sea.
The highest mountain is Puig Major de Son Torrella with 1447 metres, being also the highest elevation in the Balearic Islands. In this municipality there are also other important summits, such as Puig de Massanella (1352 m); Puig de ses Bassetes (1216 m) and l´Ofre (1091 m).
The biggest ravines in Mallorca head from this region: Almadrà, Massanella, Coma Freda, Ses Fonts de Biniatró...
Its population is mainly located in Lluc, Sa Calobra, Tuent, Es Guix and Son Macip.
Escorca owes its name to the old parish church of San Pere d’Escorca, built in the 13th century.
This region contains extraordinary beauties, from which stand out Cala Tuent, Sa Calobra and the ravine Torrent de Pareis, which heads from the mountains of Lluc. These mountains house the monastery of Lluc, Mallorca´s spiritual centre, where the Gothic 14th-century image of the island´s patron saint Mare de Deu de Lluc ( “Mother of God of Lluc”) is worshipped.
The name “Lluc” comes from the Latin word lucus, meaning “sacred forest”, which has led experts to believe that there must have been a pagan sanctuary here.
In has been confirmed that in 1246, immediately after the Christian conquest of Mallorca, there was a chapel dedicated to the Mother of God in this spot. However, the Renaissance-style sanctuary which now lies here dates from the 17th century.
Information of Interest
- Monastery of Lluc
-
Cala Tuent, Sa Calobra, Torrent de Pareis, Sa Fosca
- Hiking guided tours
LINK OF ESCORCA TOWN COUNCIL
http://www.ajescorca.net/