Existing amidst olive groves in a valley 500 meters above sea level, Lluc monastery on Mallorca is a beautiful place and definitely worth a visit. Built in 1121, Lluc Monastery has been a centre of pilgrimage since the 13th century when Luke (Lluc), an Arab shepherd boy newly converted to Christianity, discovered a dark wooden statue of the Virgin in a cleft in the rock. To this day pilgrims come here from all over the world to leave prayers with La Moreneta (the little dark one). Following the statue's discovery in the 13th century, it has since been embellished with precious stones, and sits in a chapel decorated with the arms of every Mallorcan town.

Lluc Monastery is an excellent base camp if you enjoy walking or cycling along countryside trails or if you plan on any hiking in the mountains on the west coast of Mallorca. The trails in the Mallorca mountain territory surrounding Lluc are well signed and absolutely charming. Within Lluc itself, there is a tourist information centre where you will be able to obtain guides and leaflets to walks around Lluc Monastery.

As you head towards the monastery, you will pass several cosy cafes and souvenir shops selling local handicraft. There is a museum at Lluc Monastery where Mallorcan art and other relics are displayed.


If you would like to treat yourself to a truly unique experience, and feel the atmosphere in which the Monks live and work, you should consider staying the night at Lluc Monastery. The rooms are basic but all have en-suite bathrooms. You will find that the most enjoyable part of your stay at the monastery comes in the peace that surrounds you when the tourist crowds have left the grounds. A restaurant on-site serves basic but authentic Mallorcan treats. Should you not have been lucky enough to book a spot at the monastery, there are places nearby where you can pitch a tent for the night.

Address	Lluc, Mallorca
Opening Times	Daily visitation times: 9am, 11am, 12.30pm, 5pm and 7pm. Botanical Gardens: 10am-1pm and 3pm to 6pm daily. La Fonda Restaurant: 1:00-3:30pm Mon-Wed, 7:30-9:30pm Wed-Sun. Museu de Lluc:10am-1:30pm, 2:30-5:30pm daily
Admission	The Museu de Lluc: 2 Euros
Telephone	+34 971 871 525 (Museu de Lluc & Botanical Gardens) +34 971 517 022 (La Fonda Restaurant)
Fax	+34 971 517 096