Ramon Llull stayed several times at the monastery of Santa Maria or Sant Bernat de la Real, because it had an outstanding library. Between 1265 and 1269, the Victorian friars of La Real suggested him the reading of Saint Anselm and Saint Augustine, opening in him the spirit of contemplation, the doctrinal speculation and the desire for preaching and martyrdom. In 1274 stayed there for a long period and he wrote some important books: “Art abreujada d’atrobar veritat” (“Abreviated Art for finding truth”) (first version of Ars), “Llibre d’Ave Maria” (“Book of Hail Mary”) and “Llibre del Gentil I dels tres savis” (“Book of the Gentile and the three wise men”). Ramon Llull in his last will donated his personal library to the monastery of La Real.

DESCRIPTION

The monastery of Santa Maria de la Real is situated at the north of the city of Palma, in a place where tradition places the camp of King Jaume’s army weeks before the assault to the Muslim Madina Mayurqa. It is an old Cistercian Monastery situated between the roads to Establiments and Valldemossa. It was founded by the abbot of Poblet (Catalonia) in 1239 but it wasn’t until 1266 that it was located where it is now. It was a very important monastery: the abbot of La Real occupied the second chair of the Chapter House, after the bishop. In 1835 the Cistercians abandoned the monastery and in 1897 the Missioners dels Sagrats Cors (Missionaries of the Sacred Heart) settled there and created the valuable Balearic Library,

The church is of Cistercian style (13^th century) with additions of the 17^th century. The cloister is 15^th and 18^th centuries. The Chapter House is still preserved. It has to be mentioned that in the centre of the cloister there is a statue of Ramon Llull holding the “Book of Hail Mary” work of Andreu Orell Salvà (1952).