Santuari de Cura

Cura was mentioned for the first time afterthe Catalan conquest of Mallorca, around 1231. However, there has been human occupation up here since prehistoric times, this is evidenced in the site of Coco del Corb, which is found not far from Cura itself. There has also been found remains of a former Moorish temple or fortress up here, which again highlights the importance of the Randa mountain.

As mentioned earlier, philosopher Ramon Llull (1232 – 1316) received his revelation up here, that he wrote in his book “Vida Coetania”, which by the way was the first book ever written in the Catalan language.

Llull began his mission to convert heathens, a mission that would later lead to the death of him.  He grew up in a community in Mallorca where Jews, Christians and Moors lived in coexistence, and many of his philosophies empathized reconciliation and blending the three faiths. His views and innovative ways has, and still does, caused much debate, but also inspiration to many people.

Throughout the second half of the 14th century, Randa consolidated itself as a sanctuary, a place of veneration and contemplation. Following the death of Llull in 1316, his apprentices continued bringing his ideas to life based on his philosophies. They founded a small hermitage up here, the first building on this site, from which they could live, study and practice their religion. Already in 1394, the bishop of Mallorca, Luis de Prades, officially authorized the hermits to form a small community here.

In the period between the 15th and 17th century, the small hermitage developed into a regular sanctuary and a chapel was erected dedicated to Nostra Senyora de Cura (Our Lady of Care), which was based on a small sculpture that was brought here.

During the 15th and 16th centuries, a grammar school was inaugurated and established next to the chapel, which soon grew and became one of three major grammar schools in Mallorca governed by the Great Council.

Cura became synonymous with three things; devotion to Mary, devotion to Llull and education.

As the farming community evolved, the congregation grew simultaneously. Cura’s location in the Es Pla region, which has been heavily predominated by agriculture since the Middle Ages, led to a long tradition of religious ceremonies and blessings of land and fruits. These ceremonies are documented all the way back to the 16th century.

When the grammar school closed in 1830, a long period of decay and decline in religious ceremonies entered. Cura seemed abandoned and lost. But, in 1913, Bishop Pere Joan Campins decided to restore Cura, and once again make it an important place of veneration and contemplation. Thus, he assigned the task to the Third Order Regular of Saint Francis of Assisi, who the past century has been taking care of this place and been responsible for its modernization.

In 1955, the small sculpture of Nostra Senyora de Cura was officially canonized at a ceremony.