Lluc Monastery
It is the most important sacred place on the island, formed by a complex of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, located in the Sierra de Tramontana. Stresses the Basilica de la Mare de Deu. There is documentation of S. XIII that attests that there was already a pilgrimage to the statue of the Virgin of Lluc, also called “La Moreneta“.
You can visit the museum, which was inaugurated in 1952 and highlight works of archeology and elements of the culture of the Balearic Islands, walk through its botanical garden for public use, which has more than 200 types of wild plants, or make various routes of hiking.
The monastery also has 120 perfectly equipped rooms with bathroom, TV and heating for accommodation.
Website: http://www.lluc.net/
Alaró rocky castle
The castle of Alaró is one of the most important historical and cultural architectures of Mallorca. It is located on the summit of Puig d’Alaro, 822 meters high, from where you can enjoy fantastic views of the whole island. From the castle you can see the bay of Palma, the bay of Alcudia, part of the Llevant coast, the Sierra de Tramuntana, as well as the whole Pla and Raiguer area.
Initially, the castle was a fortification that the Christian inhabitants of the island had built to defend themselves against pirates in the High Middle Ages. In fact, the remains of an ancient fortification dating back to the Muslim era survive today.
Since the 17th century, the mountain has also been home to the Sanctuary of the Mare de Deu del Refugi and a hostel in the same castle, where you can spend the night for a small fee. Also, if we ask the staff of the castle itself, they will tell you how to get to the cave of Sant Antoni, with wonderful views of the Pla de Mallorca.
How to get
Halfway between the village of Alaró and the castle, we will find a restaurant called ‘Es Verger‘, which is the last point we can reach with the car. In this way they can walk from the same restaurant (where there is a car park to leave the car) to the castle (1 hour); or walk out directly from the village. In this way it takes about 3 hours and the difficulty is medium-low.
Website: https://www.castellalaro.cat
Cura Sanctuary (Randa Hill)
With the name of Randa it is designated so much to a hill of 543 meters as to the locality, pertaining to the municipality of Algaida, that extends to its feet. At the top of this hill, from where you can get some impressive panoramic views of the island of Mallorca, stands the Cura Sanctuary. In that place, according to the tradition, Ramón Llull achieved enlightenment, perhaps the most universal Mallorcan of all time.
The first monument that we will find in our ascent, through a winding road, is Nostra Senyora de Gràcia Sanctuary, built under a ravine. The next monument, continuing the ascent is Sant Honorat Hermitage, and at the top of the hill, Cura Sanctuary. It has a hostel with 29 rooms.
Website: http://www.santuaridecura.com
Capdepera castle
Capdepera castle is a fortress with a walled enclosure located in the municipality of Capdepera. It was built by King Jaume II and started in 1300 with a walled town, although in the 14th century it was rebuilt on the remains of a Muslim village. I send it to repopulate the most eastern part of the island, since people lived very scattered throughout the territory and to have more control of the maritime communications of the Menorca channel. So Capdepera castle really is a fortified town. The interior was a network of narrow streets and houses of very humble construction, of small dimensions and adapted to the conditions of the land.
Website: http://www.capdeperacastell.com/
Bellver castle
Bellver Castle is located in Palma, the capital of the island. It is a Gothic style fortification, built at the beginning of the 14th century by order of King Jaime II of Mallorca. Its name comes from the old Catalan, which means “beautiful view”, which is located in a wooded mountain from where you can enjoy stunning views over the city of Palma, the bay and the Sierra de Tramuntana. The most striking is its circular floor, being one of the few in Europe with such a shape, and the oldest of these. The castle is open to the public, and inside it is the Museum of History of the city of Palma.
Website: https://castelldebellver.palma.cat/