Fotògraf: Toni Coll
Puig de Randa and its sanctuaries: Cura, Gracia & Sant Honorat
El Puig de Randa, which is located in the centre of Mallorca between the municipal districts of Algaida and Llucmajor, has three sanctuaries. The sanctuary of la Nostra Senyora de Cura maintains the tradition of Ramon Llull; the 13th century Mallorcan missionary, writer and philosopher stayed here for several months, where he led the life of a hermit. In the 15th century the first school in honour of Llull was founded here, and shortly after a school dedicated to the study of grammar was established, which continued operating until the 19th century. The sanctuary site is made up of a small church from the mid-17th century which contains a Gothic image of Mare de Déu de Cura made from Santanyí stone, a Franciscan monastery, the emblematic grammar classroom, and the lodging, which is constructed over the old cells where students stayed from the 16th century onwards.
The Sanctuary of Nostra Senyora de Gràcia is located on the slope of Llucmajor del Puig de Randa below a large rock; it has been a centre of spiritual activity and devotion to the Mother of God for the people of Llucmajor ever since the 16th century. In addition to a small church, there is a lodge and a vast open space in front of the sanctuary site, from where visitors can enjoy spectacular views.
The Hermitage of Sant Honorat is located at the southernmost point of El Puig de Randa and dates back to an early church from the 14th century; hermits lived here until the beginning of the 20th century.