Santuari de Lluc

Monastery in Pollenca

Lluc is not only a spiritual haven but also a haven for hikers who appreciate its excellent amenities and the numerous hiking trails that originate from here. These include sections of the Dry Stone Route and the challenging trek through the Torrent de Pareis canyon leading to the picturesque Sa Calobra bay.

The journey to Lluc by car involves navigating through numerous hairpin bends, offering stunning vistas along the way. Observant travelers will also notice the terraced formations, a testament to Mallorcan farmers who carved out space for cultivating olive, almond, and citrus trees. Keep an eye out, and you may even spot mountain goats scaling the slopes.

Within the Santuari de Lluc complex and its vicinity, you’ll find several restaurants, a café, bakery, pharmacy, and souvenir shop. For those planning an overnight stay, there are various accommodations to choose from, including one of the few campsites on Mallorca.

Legend has it that in the years following the Reconquista—the recapture of Mallorca in 1229 by Jaume I—a young boy named Lluc discovered a statue of the Virgin Mary in the Tramuntana mountains. He brought the statue to the village priest, who placed it in the church. However, the next day, the statue had inexplicably returned to its original location in the mountains. The people interpreted this as a “miracle,” believing that the Virgin Mary wanted to remain at that precise spot. Subsequently, a small chapel was erected, laying the foundation for the Santuari de Lluc.

In 1962, Pope John XXIII bestowed the title of “Minor Basilica” upon the Church of Lluc, which had been constructed in the Renaissance style. The revered Black Madonna statue, a destination for pilgrims, resides on the main altar. Antonio Gaudí, renowned for his work on Palma’s La Seu cathedral, also contributed to the interior design of Lluc’s church in the early 20th century.

Santuari de Lluc is also home to the Blauets boys’ and girls’ choir, which has been based here since the 16th century. This choir enjoys a reputation throughout Mallorca and performs at Lluc every Sunday, as well as at numerous festivals and traditional celebrations, including Easter and Christmas Eve, during the Cant de la Sibil•la. Some of the choir members live in Lluc’s boarding school, although others opt to reside at home while studying here.

The Santuari de Lluc appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Pollenca!

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