Sanctuary of Sant Salvador, Felanitx

Sanctuary of Sant Salvador, Felanitx tickets: which one to buy

The Sanctuary of Sant Salvador stands on the summit of the Puig de Sant Salvador, about five hundred metres above sea level near the town of Felanitx, in the south-east of Mallorca, and entry is free. It is reached by a narrow, winding road that climbs through pine forest from Felanitx, and there is a car park at the top; cyclists love the climb. The main reason to go is the view, among the best on the island, over the plain of Mallorca, the east coast and the island of Cabrera out to sea.

The sanctuary has a restaurant and a small hostelry where visitors can stay the night in simple rooms. There are no buses, so a car, bicycle or taxi is needed. The Castell de Santueri, a medieval fortress on a nearby hill, can be combined with the visit, as can the beaches of Cala d'Or and Portocolom. The hostelry rooms can be booked for a night and offer sunrise views over the sea.

Visiting Sanctuary of Sant Salvador, Felanitx: what to see

The sanctuary was founded in the fourteenth century, around 1348, after an outbreak of the plague, when the people of Felanitx built a hermitage on the hill; the present church and buildings date largely from the eighteenth century. The church is small and simple, with a baroque altar holding the venerated image of the Virgin, and a Gothic altarpiece of carved alabaster showing scenes of the Passion is displayed inside. The walls hold ex-votos and paintings. Outside, on neighbouring peaks, stand two large monuments: a tall column topped by a statue of Christ the King, built in 1934, and a large stone cross, both visible from far away.

The courtyard and terraces around the sanctuary are shaded by trees, and the whole site feels peaceful, far from the busy resorts of the coast. A small side chapel holds a carved image of Christ and votive paintings of shipwrecks and illnesses. The courtyard includes a cistern that collected rainwater for the hermits. The viewing terrace by the monument to Christ the King is reached by a short path. The refectory, now a restaurant, preserves its old vaulted ceiling.

Sanctuary of Sant Salvador, Felanitx opening hours and the best time to go

The sanctuary is open daily, and the restaurant keeps its own hours. Clear days in spring, autumn and winter offer the best views, as summer haze can reduce visibility. Summer afternoons are hot, and early morning or sunset are pleasant times to visit. The road is narrow, and cyclists are common, so drive carefully.

Local pilgrimages and festivals take place in the spring, when the people of Felanitx climb the hill. The town of Felanitx holds a large market on Sunday mornings. Allow about forty-five minutes at the sanctuary, and combine the visit with the Castell de Santueri and a swim at the coast. Portocolom, the nearest harbour town, has fish restaurants along its quay and is about twenty minutes away.