Today we climbed the Puig de Maria to see the Santuari de la Mare de Deu in Pollenca. It is a steep road/trail leading up the Puig that is 2.2km long. The chapel was constructed in 1348 and completed in 1368 for the housing of local nuns. They were later relocated to Palma in 1576 and the monastery became a retreat and community chapel used for special ceremonial rituals until 1948. It appears it is currently being restored. The guide book suggests not to take this hike midday because of the heat. Of course we didn't read this before we started our journey.
IT WAS HOT...
But we made it to the top and thoroughly enjoyed the the building and the beautiful views of the Mediterranean sea and surrounding area.
First we devour a delicious breakfast al fresco style.
THE HIKE...
Oh, yes. Mike thinks this is going to be a fun hike! He's going to run to the top.
We see an unusual flower. Does anyone know what it is?
An unusual fence.
Still having fun Mike?
Almost there.
Finally we made it. We have been hearing from hikers coming down that they serve tea, coffee and even ice cream at the top. We don't believe them, because they were mostly Germans and we think they may have a sadistic sense of humor.
Barely detectable Moorish influence in the design and detail of the window.
Mike surveying the town of Pollenca below. From this angle it looks more like a fortress.
The small chapel is beautiful and much nicer than it looked from the outside.
It is also at east 20 degrees cooler inside.
Mike enjoying the architecture.
This room and it's contents had no explanations, but housed many historic artifacts from the monastery.
The nuns must have been seamstresses.
More artifacts from the area. This is a unbelievably large ammonite fossil found in this area during excavation.
View from the south side of the monastery of the Mediterranean Ocean at Alcudia in the distance.
Interior corridor
What appeared to be a dinning hall used in more recent times.
Gayle and Bobby enjoying a cooling breeze.
One of the local craftsman takes a break from restoration with a siesta on a table after his lunch. Smart guy!
Gayle and I light candles.
We start thinking about our descent.
Bobby, Mike and Gayle on the trail down. The rocks are polished and slick from hundreds of years of foot traffic. It's a little tricky walking down.
The view from the bottom. The monastery tower on top of the mountain is a small white speck from this vantage point.
Whew!
(The Germans were right by the way. They did have a cafe at the top, and ice cream was indeed available.)
BONA TARDE!
We are off to Alcudia for a beer and our dinner.
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