Enjoy the island of Majorca, full of places as magical as Puig de Randa, in the first days of spring, is a privilege for nature lovers, calm and quiet. Far from the hectic summer nights and the beaches that turn into anthills, Mallorca wakes up from winter torpor with a shy look, with green eyes, the one with the cloak that covers her particular orography from tip to tip of the island.
Because Mallorca invites you to relax, now that we don't have a fuss and that nature projects its call. The largest of the Balearic Islands is also one of the Destinations mindfulness preferred by the yoga and meditation lovers for its large number of spaces that allow a retreat in connection with the mother earth and nature
Monasteries in Puig de Randa, Majorca.
Willing to disconnect, we have set course for Mallorca to conquer the Puig de Randa, which is known as the Mountain of Monasteries, a place where silence is law.
A MOUNTAIN THAT CAN SINK INTO THE SEA
The route through Puig de Randa to the top is an expedition that you have to live at least once in your life. At the top is the Cure Sanctuary, a place of special energy, much loved by Majorcans and that break with your elevation the harmony of the Majorcan plain. Also hide upstairs a restaurant, a inn and one of the most panoramic views spectacular from all over the island.
What many do not know is that According to popular legend, the mountain rises on several columns of gold, all cracked except one of them. That's why you have to head for the top quietly and calmly, since the last of the columns could crack causing the Mediterranean engulf the mountain and after it the rest of the island.
Santuari de Cura, historical photo (Puig de Randa, Mallorca).
What is known for sure is that this place was chosen by different hermits, knights and monks to live as hermits or for spiritual or religious retreat. The energy radiating from the mountain, the tranquility or cleaning the air have allowed over the years to become a much appreciated area for those who enjoy walking through nature or for those looking for a retreat and find themselves.
FROM ALGAIDA TO RANDA
We take the starting point from Algaida, which curiously means “the base” in Arabic, just over twenty kilometers from the Balearic capital. Here we discover the other face of Majorca, that of families like Gordiola , who have been blowing glass since the year 1719 and they still keep the tradition alive, already transformed into a museum. Three centuries of work and eight generations until in 2021 the UNESCO decided to include this practice within its Representative Manifestations of the Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Gordiola, museum of blown glass in Algaida (Mallorca).
Algaida invites you to stay for lunch, especially when you discover that they take themselves very seriously here the importance of Majorcan wine. Because in Algaida there are wineries that attest to this and bars that tempt a snack now that the temperature is no longer cold. But the goal is to continue the route to Randa, in search of the mountain of the Monasteries and for this we leave Algaida behind with our eyes on the highway.
The path that leads to Randa draws a new picture of the island. Randa is a small district of Algaida that It barely has 100 inhabitants and that has a great story behind it, that of the monasteries that have been guarding the mountain since the thirteenth century. Since then, this part of the island became retreat place for monks and pilgrims. Even today it is one of the most appreciated destinations for mindfulness lovers.
Historical photo of Gordiola, in Algaida (Mallorca).
From here the climb to the top draws a road that winds down the mountainside, painting green everything that the eye can see and scenting the air with the fragrances they give off pines and oaks. Sometimes curves get so tight you can't see what's on the other side of it. winding road, but with each section completed, the path is transformed into an improvised viewpoint from where you can contemplate the greatness of the island. Of course, if your idea is to immortalize the moment for Instagram, you must not stop on this stretch of road.
THE THREE MONASTERIES ARE THE KEY
Half way where you have to stop is at the Grace Shrines and of the Hermitage of San Honorat. Many travelers choose to leave the car in Randa and climb the Mount through the paths that cross the forest, since the unevenness It is not very big and the day is quite short.
The Sanctuary of Grace was built in the sixteenth century and it is the smallest of the three that the mountain has. It was built as if a nest of swallows embedded in the cliff in honor of the virgin of the same name who, supposedly, put an end to a plague in that same century. In its restoration collaborated Antonio Gaudí himself and its interior is full of works of art. The views offered from the viewpoint are spectacular and the lack of activity has allowed the yoga lovers and meditation find here the perfect place for a retreat.
Santuari de Gràcia, Puig de Randa (Majorca).
Sant Honorat is an older temple and is a little further on. It was built in the XIV century and it can be reached very easily on foot from the Santuario de Gracia. From here you can see the plains of Llucmajor, part of the Gracia Sanctuary and even the Cabrera Island. rose at the request of Arnau Desbrull, noble knight who retired to the life of a hermit by choice. It is a site of great pickup, very quiet and with incredible views, especially in the upper part where it is located the great lookout
The last stop awaits us at the top, where the Santuari de Cura is located, the most important of the three. Here it is said that he took refuge Ramon Lull and that his school was founded in the fifteenth century, which caused a impulse even greater pilgrimage to this area. We discover the balcony of Mallorca from above, a place where you can let yourself be fascinated by the greatness of the Tramontana Mountains, the bay of Palma and the greenery of the landscape from Inca to Formentor. It gives the sensation that the own sight is not able to distinguish the vast horizon that is put in front of the eyes; sheltered by a silence only broken by the trill of some little birds that they were surely confused.
Santuari de Cura Restaurant, Puig de Randa (Majorca).
But It is not the end of the road. Here in the Sanctuary, in addition to being able to visit the museum and understand a little more about Ramón Llull's legacy, you can spend the night since the refectory has been a nice inn since the year 1970 due to lack of vocations. It also has a restaurant where you can eat the kid and the sobrassada how well they are cooked in this land and that they are not an exception here.
But the great luxury is spend the night and have breakfast, especially if you have the opportunity to see the sunrise from such a privileged height. With the company of silence and the peace of a mountain made by and for the spiritual retreat. Priceless. Well, yes, and it is affordable for any pocket.