You might want to get ready for this year’s walk from Palma to the monastery in Lluc. The annual Marxa des Güell a Lluc a Peu will start tonight at 23h00 from Plaza Güell in Palma de Mallorca.

Lluc is Mallorca’s spiritual centre, where the Gothic XIV century image of Mare de Déu de Lluc (the island’s patron saint) is worshipped. The name Lluc is said to come from the Latin word lucus, meaning sacred forest, which has led experts to believe that there must have been a pagan sanctuary there. In 1246, immediately after the Christian conquest of Mallorca, there is documentation of a chapel dedicated to Mare de Déu at this spot. However, the Renaissance-style monastery which now stands in Lluc dates from the 17th century. If you fancy a bit of penitence yourself, you might give today’s marxa a thought. Hopefully, you will have got some practice in already and are in good shape for a 48 kms long walk. But if you are a bit feeble you could drive to Selva, for instance, and just walk the last few kilometres, either tonight or at any time of the year, really. It is the thought that counts, after all.

Selva is a municipality in the Northern part of Mallorca’s Tramuntana mountains. The setting between the impressive mountains and a lush valley makes this village rather attractive. Selva is probably one of the villages in Mallorca that has best kept its identity and that has least succumbed to foreign influence and tourism. Selva is probably too far from the sea to be more popular with the Joneses, a small detail that most likely is not about to change any time soon. A parish church dedicated to Sant Llorenç (Sancti Laurenti de Silver) already existed in Selva around 1248, and was documented in the Papal bull of Pope Innocent IV. Sant Llorenç is Selva’s patron saint, who is honoured every year on August 10th (next Tuesday).

Of course, a visit to Lluc is worth your while at any time of the year. By no means should you go there only on the pretext of a worship. You can drive there by car, if walking is too strenuous, especially now in the summer. The famous Blavets boys’ choir sings in Lluc monastery every morning. The charming museum of the monastery is open daily from 10h00 to 17h30. And if you fancy spending a night or two, there are plenty of monks’ cells converted for accommodation. And do not miss a visit to the Lluc restaurant. You won’t regret it.

Have fun, whichever route you choose.

The photo was borrowed from the Internet, courtesy of dbalears.cat.

Moltes gràcies.