Monestir De Lluc

Lonely Planet review

In the 7th century, a shepherd claimed to have seen an image of the Virgin Mary in the sky. Later, a similar image appeared on a rock. 'It's a miracle', everyone cried and a chapel was built near the site to commemorate it. A monastery was later established here after Jaume I conquered Mallorca. Since then thousands of pilgrims have come to pay homage to the 14th-century statue of the Virgin of Lluc, known as La Moreneta due to her dark skin.

The present monastery, a huge austere complex, dates from the 18th century. Off the central courtyard is the entrance to the Basílica de la Mare de Déu, which contains the statue. There is also a museum with archaeological bits and bobs and a modest art collection.