Convent de Sant Bonaventura
Llucmajor

In the charming town of Llucmajor, Mallorca, lies a hidden gem of historical and architectural wonder - the Convent de Sant Bonaventura. Known locally as Convento de San Buenaventura, this Franciscan convent is dedicated to Bonaventura de Bagnoregio and stands as a testament to the rich cultural heritage of the region.

The Architectural Marvel

Constructed between 1620 and 1656, the Convent de Sant Bonaventura is a stunning example of Renaissance architecture. The church features a single rectangular nave covered by a half-barrel vault, divided into six sections by interior buttresses, all built using the local sandstone known as marès. Each section houses a lateral chapel, each crowned with vaults between the buttresses. The apse culminates in a similar vault that shelters the presbytery. Above the main portal, supported by a lowered vault, is the choir, a space dedicated to the friars' prayers, the organ dating back to the late 17th century, and the singers. A wide continuous cornice, walkable and with a false architrave, connects the entire perimeter of the nave along the line where the vault begins. The construction is characterized by its proportions and harmony of simple lines.

Interior Splendor

The interior of the Convent de Sant Bonaventura is equally impressive. The main altarpiece is of Baroque style, covering the entire front wall of the presbytery. The central nave's walls are stuccoed in white with greenish stripes and a base painted between sienna and crimson. Among the chapels, the Bethlehem Chapel stands out, located first on the right, with mural paintings created in 1930 by Francesc Salvà Ripoll. However, the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception is particularly noteworthy, constituting a separate and distinct construction from the others. This chapel, an open space in the fifth section between the left buttresses, features a Baroque altarpiece. It has an irregular hexagonal plan covered with a dome topped by a lantern. Each angle is adorned with a triple-nerved pilaster that simulates a twisted column. The central nerve of each pilaster crosses the dome's ring, dividing it into six panels. Small chapels are formed on the sides, closed with narrow half-barrel vaults. Additional chapels are located at the entrance buttresses, each side having one. All the chapels have oculus windows above the key, below the dome's starting cornice. The apse is finished with a shell vault, the only one in the church, built in the early 18th century by the Brotherhood of Saint Anthony of Padua, representing a counterpoint to the central nave.

Main Façade

The main façade of the Convent de Sant Bonaventura, facing south, is characterized by Franciscan austerity. The main Baroque portal from the 18th century stands out, featuring the Porta Coeli typical of Franciscan temples. The portal, with a lintel flanked by jambs with vegetal ornamentation, has empty niches on both sides, once occupied by images of Saint Francis of Assisi and Blessed Ramon Llull. The image of the Immaculate Virgin presides over the entire portal. Sculpted in stone, it occupies a niche flanked by pilasters decorated with vegetal motifs. In two lateral voids, amphorae are highlighted. The intrados of the arch is formed by coffers decorated with motifs alluding to Marian iconography. The central one represents the sun, symbolizing Mary's radiance. On each side follow the palm tree and the cypress, signs of her exaltation above all creatures. Next come the city of God and the enclosed garden, representing God's dwelling, which is Mary, and her virginity. Finally, the sealed well and the flowing fountain, images of her virginity and as a dispenser of grace. The portal is topped by the Franciscan coat of arms with the two crossed arms - Christ's and Saint Francis of Assisi's - presided over by the True Cross. Above is a skylight framed within a circle of moldings with splendor, with an angel's head at the top and an eagle at the bottom.

The Second Portal

The second portal, in the third chapel on the left, is of Baroque style and dedicated to Bonaventura de Bagnoregio. The jambs and lintel are decorated with vegetal and fruit motifs, as well as angels. The façade features three gargoyles.

The Bell Tower

The bell tower, a singular structure with a square base, stands to the right of the main portal. The windows open to the four cardinal points, and the upper body is surrounded by a balustrade.

The Cloister

The convent complex was occupied by the Franciscan order until the Disentailment of Mendizábal on March 10, 1836. Mayor Pere Joan Mataró, invoking Article 4 of the General Instruction, requested the transfer of the cloister of the former convent for public and charitable services, citing its architectural importance. On April 16, 1842, the Minister of Finance communicated the concession of the cloister to the Llucmajor Town Hall. The cloister, constructed between 1667 and 1670 by master builder Mateu Gamundí, is a square-shaped structure with seven semicircular arches on the ground floor and seven lowered arches on the first floor. It covers an approximate area of 280 m², with a series of galleries grouped around its four sides. The pilasters on the ground floor end with their corresponding pyramid with a ball. In the western corridor, above the portals at the ends, are the anagrams of Jesus (IHS) and Mary (M), and in the center is another portal connecting to the Sacred Heart of Jesus Chapel. The cloister is part of the convent complex representative of Mallorcan Baroque. Its interior housed the friars' cells and common areas. Throughout history, the cloister has undergone notable changes that have altered its original configuration, having served as an orphanage, barracks, prison, justice of the peace, and until 1999, the Civil Guard barracks. Currently, it is dedicated to a cultural center.

Visiting the Convent de Sant Bonaventura offers an enriching journey through history, art, and architecture. Whether you're a history enthusiast, an architecture aficionado, or a casual traveler, this convent provides a serene and captivating glimpse into Mallorca's past.