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A Visit to The Church & Cloisters of Saint Vincenc Ferrer, Manacor

A change of scene in Mallorca's more industrial town of Manacor

featured in Sights reviews Author Anita Gait, Mallorca Reporter Updated

Manacor, Mallorca’s second largest town, has a reputation for being rather more industrial than touristy, with its pearl factories and furniture industry the town does look rather urban and doesn’t compare very well to some of the more attractive towns which attract tourists in their droves.

However Manacor is hiding some wonderful sights in its Old Town centre and the Church and Cloisters of Saint Vincenc Ferrer is one of the best.

Located in the Old Town of Manacor, near the much larger and more dramatic Englesia de Nostra Senyora dels Dolors, the Church of Vincenc Ferrer dates back to 1597 when work began on its construction. It’s doors opened to worshippers upon it’s completion in 1617. Built in a traditional Mallorcan convent style the church is somewhat austere in places but does have a few baroque touches, which make for some ornate aspects such as the richly sculpted Chapel of the Rosary and the late 17th century organ.

In the 16th century the church was dedicated to Saint Vincenc Ferrer a Dominican Friar from Valencia who visited Mallorca in 1414 to ask the people for their help in supporting the Inquisition against the Jewish. Saint Vincenc Ferrer was made famous by his missionary work and gained much acclaim within the church for his work in converting Jews to Catholicism although it is reported that the methods he used were some times questionable.

In the late 17th century work began on the Saint Vincenc Ferrer Cloisters next door to the church, it was finished in 1744 but since it was a part of the convent enclosure was not open to the public. In 1835 the Cloisters was one of many church buildings sold and has since had many uses including a time as a prison. It was named a National Monument in 1919, underwent restoration in 2002 and nowadays is being used for government offices and library, it is now open to the general public and well worth a visit.

The Cloisters are built to a traditional plan, it is a two story building surrounding a central rectangular courtyard, baroque pillars, decorated columns and archways form a elegant walkway which encircles the tree filled courtyard and makes for a beautiful stop on your tour of Manacor. The pale stone of the buildings and the sunlight viewed through the archways makes for an enticing aspect and the peaceful atmosphere of the courtyard is beautiful. On the ground floor of the cloisters is located Manacor’s Municipal Library and it is a charming location for it, the building is well lit and spacious with lots of pale stone on display, the reading tables and desks have been placed against the large arched windows and the peaceful atmosphere is perfect for the purpose although the pretty view may distract those trying to concentrate.

The Church and Cloisters can be visited Mon-Friday from 8am-2pm and from 5pm-8pm, and entrance is free. You can find them easily if you follow signs to the old town centre and the Tourist Information Centre, which is located close to the Church. Visiting Manacor is also easy enough; if you’re driving then take the MA15 from Palma to Arta along which Manacor it well signposted. On Public transport you can get the bus or the train from Placa d’Espanya in Palma each of which takes roughly an hour and stop in the town centre. If you’re coming from the North of Mallorca then a bus to Inca and the train from there is the best bet.

Manacor, one of Mallorca’s most overlooked towns has a few hidden gems worth checking out and the Englesia de Sant Vincenc Ferrer is definitely one of them.

Location

Map of the surrounding area