March from Güell to Lluc on foot

The first edition of this march was held in 1974 as a promise following an accident with a siphon that exploded without causing injuries. This was in the Güell bar on Aragó street in Palma. The march owes its name to this bar, now disappeared, which was owned by Tolo Güell (1941-2020), who was the promoter of the initiative. This march had the support of the Caixa d’Estalvis de Balears (“Sa Nostra”, now defunct) and the Consell de Mallorca, which continues to support it. It has achieved great popularity and about 400 volunteers of the organization and about 15,000 marchers participate each year (35,000 in 1990). People from the different neighbourhoods of Palma but also from the rest of the island and even from outside Mallorca attend.

The route (almost all by road) is as follows: Palma, Marratxí, Santa Maria, Consell, Binissalem, Lloseta, Biniamar, Selva, Caimari and Lluc. The departure from Palma is at 11:00 p.m. From Palma to Caimari there are 36.8km by road. From Caimari to Lluc, along the Camí Vell, there is a distance of 8.5km and a difference in altitude of 460m.

Before the start and from 9:00 p.m., there is a verbena, with musical performances. On arrival in Lluc, pilgrims find refreshment points and a field hospital. An offering of flowers is made to the Virgin of Lluc and the marchers are transferred by coach to Inca to take the train back to Palma.

Lluc is the most important Marian sanctuary in Mallorca, the temple of the Virgin of Lluc, patron saint of the island. It is a place full of spiritual and community significance, the center of island hiking and today an important tourist destination. Its origins must be traced back to the thirteenth century. The most important extension was made at the beginning of the twentieth century, under the impetus of Bishop Campins and the architect Antoni Gaudí; Father Joaquim Rosselló, founder of the congregation of the Missionaries of the Sacred Hearts, who ran the sanctuary between 1891 and 2019, when the sanctuary passed into the hands of the Bishopric of Mallorca, was prior. The space is structured around the Pilgrims’ Square, where we admire the Porches (sixteenth century), and has as its center the basilica (seventeenth century), in Renaissance style, with the Gothic image of the Virgin of Lluc, which enjoys great popular devotion.

– Path of the Mysteries. Cobbled processional path dedicated to the Mysteries of the Rosary, which leads to the large cross located at the top of the hill, also known as the Mysteries, and which constitutes a beautiful viewpoint of the region. It is the point where tradition places the finding of the image of the Virgin of Lluc. We admire five large monuments with three bronze medallions each, the work of the sculptor Josep Llimona. This access was opened at the beginning of the twentieth century.
-Botanical garden. Founded in 1956, it has more than two hundred species of mountain flora, especially from the Tramuntana mountain range.
-Joys. Linked to this pilgrimage, it is worth mentioning the seven boundary crosses (popularly called goigs) that once lined the Camí Vell de Lluc, and which allude to the Seven Joys of the Virgin Mary. Today, only two are preserved: one, from the fifteenth century, can be admired in the Plaça dels Pelegrins itself, and the other, from the seventeenth century, in the neighbouring square of Ca s’Amitger.

Hymn to the Virgin of Lluc

Lyrics of Mn. Miquel Costa i Llobera (1854-1922)

 

In the heart of the mountain,

Mallorca holds a treasure.

Brothers with holy companionship,

we go up to the Casa d’Or.

 

We go with flag raised,

like an army of peace,

Virgin of Lluc crowned,

over Mallorca reigns!

 

Mary has sanctuaries

for all this beautiful Kingdom:

more among lonely hills,

as Queen she has a castle.

 

It is only right that it should be adored

in such a noble palace,

Virgin of Lluc crowned,

over Mallorca reigned.

 

Lluc for Mallorca is still

The Holy Corner of the Home:

and in his mother’s home,

Who couldn’t warm up?

 

Our fiery prayer,

with a mother’s heart listen,

Virgin of Lluc crowned,

over Mallorca reigned.