The father of Catalan literature put his life and his work at the service of his personal crusade against the infidels. A production that was born in such famous landmarks like the historical centre of the Balearic capital, the Real and Miramar Monasteries or the Puig de Randa mountain.
An Arabic scholar, author of books as outstanding as Art Iul·liana or Llibre d’amic e amat and a passionate traveller, Ramón Llull was one of the main contributors to the formation of literary Catalan language and the first European writer of philosophical and cultured books to write in everyday language.
Thirteenth century Palma was the stage for Llull’s young life. A tombstone in the central Plaça Major marks the house where he was born in 1232. Dedicated to troubadour poetry, the spectacular Church of Santa Eulalia bore witness to his younger years. Built with three naves in 1236, it is one of the first Christian parishes erected in Palma after the Conquest.
However, following a spiritual crisis, he left his social position to devote himself to the conversion of infidels to the Christian faith. In this respect, the wonderful place that is Puig de Randa became the setting for writing de Art Iul·liana. Located between the towns of Algaida and Llucmajor, on your visit to the also known as “sacred mountain”, you will have the opportunity to stroll through the beautiful monasteries of Gràcia and Sant Honorat and the Virgen de Cura Sanctuary. Popular Majorcan culture recounts a legend related to his stay in Randa; the existence of mata escrita, which in some Oriental code reflects the words dictated by God to the enlightened master.
Ramón Llull stayed several times at the Real Monastery, to whose monks he donated his personal library in his will. Declared of Cultural Interest, the visit to the Monastery is mandatory for all his readers.
Committed to his project, Llull devoted much of his time to the creation of monasteries. In 1276, and sponsored by the young King of Mallorca, James II, he founded the Miramar Monastery in the Tramuntana mountain range. A monastery that offers all its visitors a privileged balcony overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.
He died in 1316 but his Gothic tomb can be visited at the Sant Francesc of Palma basilica. The memory of one of the most illustrious figures of the Balearic capital is present in many parts of the city, highlighting the colossal monument dedicated to Ramón Llull on the Paseo Sagrera.
