This beautiful old monastery situated in the center of Sineu, is a great sight to experience firsthand the life of a Mallorcan monk.
The religious order of the Minims, derives from Paola, Italy. It was founded in the late 15th century, and quickly spread to France, Germany and Spain. Convent de la Mínims in Sineu, was founded in 1667 by the couple, Margalida Font de Roqueta Gual Zaforteza i Térmens and Francesc Desbrull i Villalonga, who donated their own house to the cause.
In 1821, the monks of the monastery along with monks from Muro, Campos and Santa Maria del Cami, was forced to leave their home and move to a monastery in Palma. This was due to a new law in Spain, dictating that any monastery with less than 12 monks residing, was to be shut down.
Two years later, this law was changed, and the monks could move back to the monastery in Sineu. What comes around goes around, and again in 1835, the monastery suffered a hard faith, being seized by the government of Spain. It was the time of 1st Carlist War, and prime minister, Juan Álvarez Mendizábal, seized all monasteries in Spain, and sold them to private investors, in order to raise more money to support queen Isabella II. This is referred to as “La Desamortización”.
Monastery of Minims, is built in beautiful baroque architectural style, with a trapezoid floor plan. Inside the courtyard, notice the beautifully carved columns with religious motifs on them, and the rather flat arches they support. In the middle of the courtyard, an old well is standing, the vat of this has the inscription “Charitas” , the slogan of the minims.
From 1877, the building of the monastery has been home to the town hall of Sineu. Entrance is free, and well worth a visit!
Get directions to Convent of Minims in Sineu
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Sineu is to many inhabitants, namely the local inhabitants, the very heart of Mallorca due to the central location and the many historical monuments and buildings in the town. Sineu is perhaps most famous for its Wednesday tourist market where the narrow silent streets are turned into a commerce mecca of hundreds of thousands of people bargaining. But Sineu is actually one of the greater places to visit and go sightseeing in Mallorca, as you will find a nice handful of interesting constructions such as the Santa Maria church, the former Minims convent, the former royal palace, Gothic hospital etc., all places that tell a story from a period in the history of Sineu and the making of this town. Moreover, Sineu is a great place to discover some traditional Mallorcan cuisine as you will find a number of cellers and bars that serves delicious dishes worth traveling for. Last but not least, Sineu hosts a number of annual events and happenings where local traditions are celebrated with festivities and fairs, an excellent opportunity to feel the soul of Mallorca when it truly unfolds.
Sineu things to do, market and hotel