Pilgrimages in Mallorca & Spain

Pilgrimages & Holidays in Mallorca

Mallorca is one of those places which considers an excursion or pilgrimage to a local shrine or sanctuary a holiday! Off they go with their picnic and sunscreen and prayer book, and enjoy a thoroughly good day out, traipsing back in the evening with tired out children, sore feet and determined to do it all again at the next parish day out!

What is a Holiday? Well the origin of the word Holiday was in fact, 'HOLYDAY'. In times past, we did not have long summer holidays, school breaks etc. All the days off work were for religious feasts. Sometimes just a day, sometimes, like Christmas, a whole season, if you were wealthy enough to be able to stay celebrating that is!

So in Mallorca they are doing what we all did all over Europe, centuries ago. When I was living on the island as a girl, I used to say that Mallorca was about 150 years behind Britain (maybe even further behind America!) They have certainly come on apace over the past thirty years, but this custom of Excursions remains, and I am introducing it to you as a most therapeutic way of enjoying a different kind of holiday and seeing some of the most beautiful parts of Mallorca.

Depending on the time of year you wish to travel, you can join in various religious festivals which are anything but boring! There are shrines to the Madonna in Bonany, Cura and Lluch most famously, all situated on the wooded hills deep in the interior..

The locals visit the Lluc shrine when they have to go away from the island, and when they return, giving thanks for their safe journey.

Newly-weds visit the shrine of Our Lady of Cura to ask a blessing on their marriage and long life.

There are shrines at quaint old hermitages by the sea, where you can watch the sunset after a delightful day out.

Parades for Corpus Christi in June
St Antony in January
the Holy Blood in July
and of course the most popular of all those - in honour of St Nicholas in December
and the Easter penance parades when the confraternity of penitents wear those huge pointed masks

These are just some of those you can watch or even participate in all through the year.

There are the moving and hauntingly beautiful services such as the Christmas service of the Sibil.la with its ancient chants. The weekly performances of the Blauets at Lluc. These choirboys are equal to anything the Vienna Boys' Choir can do, believe me! And give stunning performances.

Browse the different Mallorca pages here and you will see glimpses of the delights of this island of peace, which has been so badly pressed by the reputation of the British seaside lager louts!

At UNUSUAL HOLIDAYS we can plan an itinerary for you which will include as many of these events as is possible. Many dates change from year to year. We are based on the Island and have the information at our fingertips. So click here to go to UNUSUAL HOLIDAYS and find out how you can enjoy one of these unique Mallorcan holidays.

Pilgrimages to Spain

We also can recommend a couple of wonderful trips to pilgrimage centres in mainland Spain. Tried and proven! Again, the accent is on Madonna Shrines.

Montserrat Monastery

The wonderful Monastery of Montserrat high in the mountains above Barcelona, and reached by Ferrocarril is a most exciting start to your pilgrimage. Dedicated to the famous Black Virgin of Montserrat and still the home of a community of monks. You stay, as at Lluc, in the original cells of the monks, well modernised, and with en-suite bathrooms and air conditioning. VERY CHEAP compared with similar accommodation in town! The walks and rides are stunningly spectacular. The Church services beautiful. And for those who prefer to drive, there is a road, steep and winding!

Basilica of Our Lady of Pilar, Zaragoza

The Basilica of Our Lady of Pilar in Zaragoza is another beautiful place to visit. Zaragoza is one of the quaint medieval towns in Spain, which has changed little. The Virgin in the basilica has long been a centre of pilgrimage. So much so that there is a popular song about it:

El Ebro guarda silencio
Al pasar por el Pilar.
La Virgen esta dormido
La Virgen esta Dormida,
No la quere despertar.

The river Ebro keeps silence
As it passes by the (Basilica) Pilar
The Virgen is sleeping
The Virgen is sleeping
It does not want to awaken her.

Dos besos traigo en mis labios
A la Virgen del Pilar
Uno me lo dio mi madre
Uno me lo dio mi madre
El otro mi soledad

Two kisses I bring on my lips
For the Virgen of Pilar
One given by my mother
One given by my mother
The other by my sweetheart.

Whether you bring kisses from home or just want to enjoy this lovely old town and tradition, it is worth a visit.

Santiago de Compostela

The third on my list is the most famous of all, next to the Holy Land and Rome, SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA was the most important pilgrimage centre of medieval Europe. The site of the resting place of St James the Apostle. Here you can stay in a monastery or convent guesthouse, a pilgrims inn or a stately palace turned hotel. Explore the tiny streets, including the street of silversmith below the magnificent Cathedral, and watch amazed (and terrified!) as the massive silver incensor, as big as a man, swings out over the whole church sweetening the air with frankincense.

You can even begin this pilgrimage in the UK, stopping at all the old pilgrim hostels on the way, and getting your card stamped, entitling you to a night's free accommodation when you arrive in Santiago!

Go to UNUSUAL HOLIDAYS for further information on how to have one of these experiences you can bet none of your friends have had!

Each itinerary is planned specifically for the individual.

More Mallorca Pages

^top^