Església de Santa Maria de Robines

The parish church has its origins back from the 13th century after the Catalan conquest of Mallorca (1229 – 1235). The original church temple was, however, not built on the current site, but in the northeastern part of the municipality, an area known as Robines from Moorish dominance, hence the name. The reason for this was, that at that exact spot was an Arab mosque which had to be replaced to mark the new religious dominance, Christianity. The church was built in a primitive Gothic architectural style known as “Repoblament”. This church was first documented in 1248 in a bull by Pope Innocent IV, and there is evidence of an altar from 1270 with the image of Saint Stephen.

During the last half of the 14th century, king Jaume II of Mallorca decided to move the church to its current location, as the result of the urbanization of the growing town of Binissalem. Already in 1370, the first temple was referred to as “the old church”.

The current church temple was finished in the 18th century, and is built on top of the former Gothic temple. The church has been praised by many prominent figures such as Gaspar Melchor de Jovellanos, Gerònim de Berard and archduke Ludwig Salvatore of Austria, and there is a reason for this. The church is by far one of the most beautiful examples of baroque style in both architecture and decoration.

As you enter the church, you will quickly discover how light has played an important role in the design, for example the impressive dome and the rose window. The playful and artistic interior of baroque design evidences the prosperity of Binissalem during the time of construction, when the area experienced high remarkable increasing income from wine export.

Some of the elements to be highlighted in the church of Santa Maria de Robines, is the main altarpiece made in marble, the chapel of Sant José and the museum found in the apse exhibiting religious art works collected throughout times.

On the church square outside, notice the sculptures representing the long traditions of wine production in the area.