Puig de Maria, Pollensa
Santuari del Puig de Maria, Pollenca, Mallorca
About Puig de Maria, Mallorca, Spain
Puig de Maria is located in Pollença on the Mediterranean island of Mallorca in the country of Spain. It features a nearly 800-year-old monastery that is perched high atop a lonely mountain called Puig de Maria and is situated just outside of Pollenca. The monastery consists of a church, a fortified tower as well as farm buildings and was home to many different nuns and monks over the centuries. The pilgrimage shrine still operates to this day but is used as a hostel. There is also a convenient restaurant at the top for meals and drinks that serves traditional Mallorquian food.
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Santuari del Puig de Maria, Pollenca, Mallorca
How to Get There
Address: 07460 Pollença, Balearic Islands, Spain
Map of Santuari de la Mare de Déu del Puig, Pollenca, Mallorca
Santuari del Puig de Maria, Pollenca, Mallorca
Hiking Puig de Maria
The hike features scenic views of the surrounding mountains and takes about an hour to get to the top, which is a total of 330 meters high. You also have the option to drive most of the way up but the road is very narrow and sketchy. It is a moderately difficult hike but will get your heart pumping and can be rather hot on a sunny day, so be sure to pack water with you. The hike is only 2.2km but is a continual climb in elevation with no level spots and zig zigs back and forth until you reach the top. For the last 20 minutes of the hike, there is a cobblestone path where the rocks have become smooth over the centuries and can be a bit slippery.
Santuari del Puig de Maria, Pollenca, Mallorca
History
In 1348, the establishment of the sanctuary began followed by the construction of a church in 1355. Nuns began to live on the mountain and later founded a monastery school. They also started a library and a care home for the elderly and the sick. Beginning in 1414 and for more than one hundred years the monastery complex was built upon and several more amenities were added. Eventually, a watchtower and fortified walls were constructed to help protect the monastery.
In 1550 residents of Pollenca found a safe haven here and successfully defended themselves when an army of 1500 soldiers attacked their village.
In time, the monastery was ordered to be abandoned and the nuns were to leave its protection. In the next few centuries, it was expanded even more but by 1988 it was completely abandoned.
Nowadays the monastery is a tourist attraction and has caretakers living on the grounds full time.
Santuari del Puig de Maria, Pollenca, Mallorca
Santuari del Puig de Maria, Pollenca, Mallorca
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