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Many of you may have heard of a place in Mallorca called the Sanctuary of Santa Maria de Lluc (or Lluc Monastery). This holy place is located in the municipality of Escorca at an altitude of 525 meters above sea level in the heart of the Sierra de Tramuntana mountain range. The Monastery of Lluc is considered the most important sacred site on the island of Mallorca. It is home to the Holy Virgin of Lluc, who is the patron saint of Mallorca and to whom so many people make pilgrimages every year.
The legend of the origins of Lluc Monastery
Legend has it that a young shepherd named Lucas (Lluc in Catalan) found an image of the Virgin Mary around 1250 in the rocks near the stream that runs behind the current sacristy of the monastery. He took it to the chapel in San Pedro de Escorca. The next day the locals came to pray to this image of the Virgin Mary, but it was not there – it had mysteriously disappeared. Some time later it was found not far from the stream where it was first found.
The disappearance of the image and its discovery was repeated several times. The locals took this as a sign from God and no longer resisted God’s will – they built a small chapel near the brook to worship the image of Our Lady of Lluc. The appearance of the chapel dates back to 1268. The chapel was later transformed into the Lluc monastery we know today.
The image of the Holy Virgin of Lluc with a baby in her arms is a 13th century stone carving 61 cm high. The maiden carved in this stone image is black in color. She belongs to a group of black maidens, and is known as a “morineta”. The Black Maidens are believed to be associated with the Knights Templar, and it is possible that the appearance of the Virgin of Lluc in this part of Majorca is due to the presence of the Knights Templar in the region.
Lluc Monastery and its grounds
The large number of pilgrims who went to worship and pray to the image of Our Lady of Lluc was the reason for the first hotel in the XIV century. At present the sanctuary consists of several buildings, and the hotel has grown to 81 rooms and 39 apartments with kitchens, but these buildings already refer to the XVII-XVIII centuries.
Also, when you visit the Monastery of Lluc, be sure to check out the two-story museum, which houses a diverse collection of historical heritage, a kind of archive related to the archaeology, culture, ceramics and art of Mallorca, as well as documentary, book and music collections from different periods.
The present church of the convent was built in the 17th century between 1622 and 1691. In the twentieth century, under the direction of Antoni Gaudí, the main façade was reconstructed and Baroque finishes were completed.
Lluc Convent Church has several honors, including the Royal Chapel, presented by King Carlos III in 1707, and the Minor Basilica by Pope John XXIII in 1962.
The base of Lluc Priory is shaped like a Latin cross. In it you will find a place to retreat in prayer, a chapel, a conference room, cells, quiet and beautiful gardens for a stroll. Near the monastery there are several prehistoric caves “Ses Cometes des Morts” (“Nave of the Dead”). In them, human remains in wooden coffins have been found, which you can see in the museum at the monastery.
The entrance to the Lluc Monastery is absolutely free. But if you want to visit the museum, you will have to pay 3 euros per person.
Botanical Garden at the Monastery of Lluc
About 100 meters from the pilgrims’ square, where the entrance to the Lluc Monastery is located, you will see a bridge. Behind it is the entrance to the Lluc Botanical Garden. It was created in 1956 with the idea of providing pilgrims and monks with a place to meditate. Wild plants, shrubs, flowers and trees were brought here from all over the island. Today, there are about 200 varieties of flora in the Lluc Botanical Gardens. This variety of plants has been complemented by stone paths, fountains, stone sculptures and windmills. So even if you are far from meditation, you will enjoy a stroll through the garden.
The sanctuary of Lluc can be reached by car. The landscape is full of fields with almond, olive, citrus trees. But be careful on the bends and remember that it is easy to encounter mountain goats on the road. Or you can use chauffeur service, To enjoy the scenery and see the island while traveling.
Several hiking trails are also available from the Lluc Monastery. There is also a free recreation area with barbecues, tables and benches in the rocks with incredible scenery. Or you can take advantage of the restaurants on the territory of the monastery, which offer a variety of dishes at reasonable prices.
Lluc Priory Boys’ Choir
Els Blauets is a children’s choir at the monastery of Lluc. By the way, it is widely known outside the island. Its name comes from the blue-and-white cassocks, in which the choir members dress up during chants. It is interesting to note that the Choir of Lluca is the second oldest children’s choir not only in Spain, but also in Europe. Its official creation dates back to the XVI century, to the time when a small choir of 6 boys sang the Virgin Mary. The choir used to consist only of boys, but in recent years it has begun to include girls as well.
