9th of January, 2022
After a great night of sleep (it was extremely quiet in the Monastery!), we wake up around 8.00 from the sounds of the café on the plaza. A very good breakfast buffet is served in the restaurant. We pay the 4 euro parking costs at the reception and put our luggage in the car. It is time to explore the grounds of Lluc.
All around the Sanctuary, sculptures of the prominent Majorcan artist Joan Bennàssar, are visible. The exhibition is called “The road to Lluc, Shelters of Love and Good Will”.
It is the work created by Joan Bennàssar in a year full of uncertainties and with the motivation to bring hope to those who come to Lluc after making such an effort to get here. This exhibition follows the traditional path, that begins in Inca, passes through Selva and Caimari, crosses Escorca and reaches Lluc, meandering through magical corners of the Serra de Tramuntana, as the path is the perfect metaphor of life. The work arises from the conviction that living means live together in harmony and that there is no progress without ethics. It is connected to the work Human Reasons because it reinforces effort, love and individual offering to the collective future.
From the Plaza del Lledoner, a stone path leads up to the spot, where the Holy Image of the Virgin was found. It is called the Mount Rosario Route, but also the Camí dels Misteris. A short hike of around 30 minutes, but definitely worth the climb.
We pass a small cemetery, though we can’t reach it, as the road is blocked due to fallen stones.
The five stone monuments are impressive. We admire the three bronze reliëfs, representing the mysteries of the Rosary (joy, pain and glory). At the end of the path, the Cross is overlooking the Monastery and the valleys of Lluc and Aubarca. The cold wind is strong here on top of the mountain!
We quickly descend to a warmer atmosphere and visit the interior patio ‘Jardí de les Magnòlies and the central courtyard.
The Botanical Garden is small, but contains around 200 different species, all from the Balearics. Pieces of art and funny constructions are placed between the plants and along the narrow pathway.
There is no time anymore for a visit to the museum of Lluc. Today we have to drive through the mountains to the capital Palma, where we booked a hotel for our last two nights. The hustle and bustle of the big town will be in strong contrast with the serenity of the Sanctuary!
