Pilgrimage to the hermitage of the Consolation of Santanyí

Both pilgrimages are organized by the local association Amics de la Consolació that brings together seventy families and takes care of the maintenance and improvement of the sanctuary.

The pilgrims walk up from Santanyí and from S’Alqueria Blanca to the hermitage of La Consolació, located on top of Puig Gros or Puig de la Consolació (205m), located just over a kilometre northwest of S’Alqueria Blanca. The last section has a sandstone staircase.

In the pilgrimage of February, a mass is celebrated and Saint Scholastica, advocate of the rain, is invoked, with the desire to obtain a good harvest. In the March pilgrimage, solemn mass is celebrated, joys are sung to Our Lady of Consolation and the blessing of the fruits is made with the True Cross.

The sanctuary of the Consolation dates from the fifteenth or sixteenth century, with an added tower from the early eighteenth century. The whole, of great rusticity, is of singular beauty. It was restored in 1931 and has been declared a BIC (Asset of Cultural Interest). The built space is organised around a courtyard, in which there is a cistern and tiles that refer to the passage of Archduke Ludwig Salvator through the place. The exterior appearance is that of a fortification, and it probably served as a refuge for the local population on the occasion of the Saracen incursions of the sixteenth century. It is a very quiet space.

In the immediate vicinity, there is a small viewpoint, with a very good view over Santanyí, S’Alqueria Blanca, the profile of the coast and the archipelago of Cabrera. The area, of scrubland with pine trees, is classified as an ANEI (Natural Area of Special Interest).

Joys in Santa Escolástica of the mount of the Consolació de Santanyí

Lyrics by Bernat Vidal i Tomàs (1949)

 

Come, high heart, and sing

joys to a faithful virgin.

Escolàstica has the key

of the fountains of heaven.

 

You’ve born from it,

hug to Saint Benedict,

How snow embraces the cold

and joy with wine.

Holy male and feminin: honeycomb and honey;

You was born with love preached.

Escolàstica has the key

of the fountains of heaven.

 

In the dark Middle Ages,

years of blood, iron and fear

A clearing blooms

of work and prayer.

Sant Benet, balm you take

to a world of cruel war.

Escolàstica has the key

of the fountains of heaven. […]

 

Santanyí has invoked you

when due to lack of seasoning

to your altar has gone up

at the top of the Consolation.

On the Mount you choose

the fog of Mount Carmel.

Escolàstica has the key

of the fountains of heaven.

 

When a kiss of the sun dies

climbed your face

and following your flight

you will guide us to the Father

along a parallel path

to the one you painted with pigeons.

Escolàstica has the key

of the fountains of heaven.