Mare de Déu de la Salut

Patrona de Palma · basílica de Sant Miquel

In the basilica of Sant Miquel, one of the oldest churches in Palma, it venerates the Mare de Déu de la Salut, patron of the city since 1960, called old as a protector of epidemics and diseases.

Origin and history

The church of Sant Miquel rises on the site of an old mosque, reconquered by Jaime I; it is one of the oldest churches in Palma, rebuilt in Baroque style in the 17th century and preserved its Gothic facade. In it is the image of the Virgin of Health, of great devotion among the palmesans. This devotion was already consolidated in the 19th century: in 1870 a public function was held to give thanks for the end of the yellow fever epidemic, calling it "protector of the city." In 1960 he was officially declared patron of Palma, and since the end of the 20th century his patron parties of September are structured, with vigil and offering on the 7th and solemnity on the 8th.

The central feature of this advocation is its character as a protective Mother in the face of disease and danger, from which comes the title "of the Salut." Devotion has been particularly manifested in situations of epidemic or collective disease. The tradition attributes the arrival of the size to Jaime I the Conqueror, who would have brought a fine marble image to the conquest of 1229, and associates him with numerous cures and a water of a nearby cistern that is curative; details that belong to the field of popular piety, not to verifiable critical documentation.

Canonical coronation: not found in the sources.