Santuari de Consolació
A small pilgrimage church on a hill above Sant Joan, reached by a broad stone staircase. There is a well, shade beneath the pines and picnic tables, with the village cemetery on the slope below.
Santuari de Consolació
Santuari de Consolació in 30 seconds
The essentials at a glance
- Worth visiting for
- A short visit
- Best for
- A quiet pilgrimage church without crowds
- Best months
- January–May, October–December
- Time to allow
- Twenty minutes to an hour
- Without a car
- Hire car needed
- Parking
- Free parking beside the grounds at the top
- Keep in mind
- Expecting a large monastery complex
- Access
- Pushchairs: Awkward on the steps; straightforward at the top · Wheelchairs: The staircase is an obstacle; the courtyard itself is level
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The well stands in the middle of the unshaded courtyard. In July, you feel that lack of shade immediately.
The arched gateway is the site's main decorative flourish.
These steps lead up to the sanctuary. Awkward with a pushchair, but otherwise a short climb.
Getting to know Santuari de Consolació
Does Santuari de Consolació suit your plans?
What to expect and what to know before you visit.
Who it suits
- A quiet pilgrimage church without crowds
- A place to rest while exploring the Pla
- Views across the plain without a long mountain drive
- Cyclists looking for a short, worthwhile climb
Things to bear in mind
- Expecting a large monastery complex
- Looking for guided tours, a museum or shop
- Visiting at midday in high summer, when the courtyard has no shade
- Going for a swim
Drive from the airport
35 minutes
38 km
Bus connections
No bus up to the sanctuary
Region
Pla de Mallorca
Elevation
180 m
above sea level
Season guide for Santuari de Consolació
November Worth a visit
Very quiet Open
Worth visiting in January, February, March, April, May, October, November and December. Less suitable in July and August.
Location
Location of Santuari de Consolació
- Region
- Pla de Mallorca
- Municipality
- Sant Joan
- Elevation
- 180 m above sea level
- Airport
- 38 km , around 35 minutes
- Hire car
- needed
- Worth visiting for
- a brief stop
- Coordinates
- 39.5883,3.0369
What is the Santuari de Consolació?
A pilgrimage sanctuary on a hill about a kilometre outside Sant Joan in the Pla. It is larger than the word chapel might suggest, with a church, porch, broad courtyard, terrace and outbuildings.
According to legend, a shepherd found a statue of the Virgin on the nearby hill of es Castellots. It is now kept in the chapel.
Where Sant Joan began
The history explains the size of the site: the church on this hill came before the village.
After the conquest of Mallorca in the 13th century, people in the Pla lived on scattered farms. An oratory was built up here so they could reach a place of worship from the surrounding countryside. The courtyard’s arched doorway is said to survive from that first building.
In 1298, Sant Joan Baptista became a parish in its own right, separating from Sineu. The village of Sant Joan grew from this church, rather than the other way round.
How it took its present form
The site was altered between 1755 and 1780 to suit the tastes of the time, followed by a long period of decline.
Between 1959 and 1966, architect Josep d’Oleza i Frates oversaw its restoration. This work also created the west side’s current appearance, including the porch, round doorway and upper window with coloured glass.
The large terrace in front of the church stands above a cistern. Collecting rainwater was essential on a hill in the Pla. The site also has two sundials.
What you will find
A paved courtyard with an old well, an arched gateway with an iron gate, a cistern and sundials. Around them are pine trees with tables and benches — one of the Pla’s better, little-known places to stop for a picnic.
Below, the cemetery of Sant Joan runs down the hillside in terraces.
There is no admission charge, guided tour programme, museum, shop or café. The church itself is not reliably open, but the grounds are always accessible.
Two sanctuaries with the same name
Mallorca has another Consolació sanctuary, near S’Alqueria Blanca in Santanyí municipality. Both stand on hills and share a name, but they are separate places.
When to visit
March and October are good choices. In February, almond trees blossom below; January usually gives the longest views across the Pla.
In July and August, the courtyard sits in full sun and is uncomfortable at midday. The area beneath the pines is then the best place to stop.
Photographs
Santuari de Consolació in Mallorca
How much time do you have?
Things to do in Santuari de Consolació
Three hours
Walk up to the church, look around the grounds, then sit for a while beneath the pines.
Half a day
Combine it with Sant Joan, Sineu or Montuïri, all within around 15 minutes.
A full day
Best as a short stop, rather than a full-day destination.
On a rainy day
Little to do. The church is not always open, and the main appeal is outdoors.
Practical details
- Parking
- Free parking beside the grounds at the top
- Time to allow
- Twenty minutes to an hour
- Good to know
- The church is not reliably open, but the grounds are always accessible. Tables and benches beneath the pines make this one of the Pla's nicer, little-known picnic spots.
- Bus
- No bus up to the sanctuary
- Access
- Broad stone staircase to the church, with a paved courtyard above · Pushchairs: Awkward on the steps; straightforward at the top · Wheelchairs: The staircase is an obstacle; the courtyard itself is level · Dogs: Keep on a lead
- What you will not find
- An admission charge or guided tours · A museum or shop · Places to eat · Reliable church opening hours · Shade in the courtyard
- Coordinates
- 39.5883,3.0369 Google Maps Apple Maps
Within reach
Places to visit
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Distances without a driving time are measured in a straight line. The road journey can be much longer; known driving times are shown alongside.
Places to stay within reach
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Your questions answered
Your questions about Santuari de Consolació
Where is the Santuari de Consolació?
On a hill roughly a kilometre outside Sant Joan in the Pla de Mallorca. Follow the signs towards the cemetery; a broad stone staircase leads up for the final stretch.
Is the church open?
Not reliably. The grounds, courtyard, well and picnic area are always accessible. If you are making a special visit to see inside, enquire in Sant Joan beforehand.
What is there to see?
A simple church dating from the 13th century, restored between 1959 and 1966, with an arched gateway, old well, cistern and sundials. Pine trees surround tables and benches. Sant Joan's village cemetery lies below.
There are two sanctuaries with this name — which is this one?
This one belongs to Sant Joan in the Pla de Mallorca. The other Consolació sanctuary is near S'Alqueria Blanca in Santanyí municipality in the south-east. Both stand on hills, but they are separate sites.
Practical questions
When is the best time to visit Santuari de Consolació?
Recommended months: January, February, March, April, May, October, November, December. Clear air and far-reaching views across the Pla.
Is Santuari de Consolació worth visiting in July and August?
July: another month may suit you better. Usually very quiet. The unshaded courtyard is uncomfortably hot at midday. August: another month may suit you better. Usually very quiet.
How far is Santuari de Consolació from Palma airport?
About 38 km from Palma airport. Allow roughly 35 minutes by car. About a kilometre uphill from Sant Joan, signposted towards the cemetery. There is parking at the top, with a broad stone staircase for the final approach to the church.
Do I need a hire car for Santuari de Consolació?
A car is needed No bus up to the sanctuary
Where can I park in Santuari de Consolació?
Free parking beside the grounds at the top
Can I visit Santuari de Consolació with a pushchair or wheelchair?
Broad stone staircase to the church, with a paved courtyard above Pushchairs: Awkward on the steps; straightforward at the top Wheelchairs: The staircase is an obstacle; the courtyard itself is level
Are dogs allowed at Santuari de Consolació?
Keep on a lead
Words and photographs: Friedhelm Fischer. Exploring Mallorca since 2013 — by bike, on foot and with a camera.