Monasterio de Lluc
The Monastery of Lluc is Mallorca’s spiritual centre, where the Gothic 14th-century image of the island´s patron saint Mare de Déu de Lluc (“Mother of God of Lluc”) is worshipped. This sanctuary is located in the north of Mallorca, in a valley surrounded by mountains of the mountain range of Tramuntana, 500 metres above sea level.
The history of the monastery goes back to 1230, when pastor Lluc found here “la moreneta”, a statue of the Virgin that is worshipped as Mallorca’s patron saint.
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.
This monastery contains a choir school, a botanical garden, a museum, a camping, a hotel, a picnic-zone and much more. It is also the starting point of many hiking routes.
Twice a day the children who sing in the choir, known as “Els Blauets” (blau means blue in Catalan) accompany the mass with their voice. They live in the monastery.
The monastery is equipped with an excellent infrastructure. It includes a spirituality house, a chapel, meeting rooms, gardens, accommodation facilities, a museum, a campsite, a refuge (Can Josep) and four restaurants.
As mentioned above, Lluc is also the starting point of several hiking routes. Others only run through the monastery, where many hikers stop to have a rest.
The monastery has 26 rooms (cells) where you can stay for a small amount of Money.
Lluc is also where people celebrate the annual Serra de Tramuntana and Agri-Food Fair. It is held on the first weekend in October.
"Sa Marxa a Lluc a peu" takes place on the first Saturday in August. It is a pilgrimage walk that goes from Palma to Lluc (48 km), in which many people take part.
Monastery of Lluc – Archaeological Museum
17th century
Lluc
Tel. 971 871 525
http://www.lluc.net/esp/index.html