Lluc monastery 26.4.2011

Santuari de Lluc

http://www.lluc.net/eng/

The Santuari de Lluc is a monastery and pilgrimage site located in the municipality of Escorca in north-west Majorca .  It is located in a basin on a height of 525 meters and is surrounded by a number of high mountains such as the Puig de Massanella.  The monastery was founded in the 13th century after a Moorish shepherd found a statue of the Virgin Mary on the future location of the monastery.

Lluc is considered to be the most important pilgrimage site on Majorca .  It is also known for its boys' choir which has gained international fame and has regular concerts.  A boarding school and numerous touristic facilities are part of Lluc.  Today former monks cells are leased as spare rooms.  As it is located centrally in the Serra de Tramuntana it is often used as a starting point for walking-tours.

Round the back of the monastery buildings is an interesting botanical garden trail with a small exposition on preserving the environment of the Majorcan mountain region.

  

There is a queue to the room behind the altar, it leads to this black idol of Virgin Mary and the Holy Child.  People would touch, kiss the idol asking for blessings.

As it is not Sunday when I visit the monastery, I could not heard the angel voice of the famous boys choir.  You can follow the link for their singing.

http://vimeo.com/14970121

As I arrived early, I had the time to walk around.   There is trail leads to Hill of the Rosarys and it was a good experience to have your own meditation.