Creu del Convent de Nostra Senyora de la Soledat near Sa Cabaneta
The Creu del Convent de Nostra Senyora de la Soledat is a historic monument near Sa Cabaneta, also known as La Cabaneta in Spanish. This name in particular requires attention: the Catalan word “Creu” means cross; the rest refers to “Nostra Senyora de la Soledat,” Our Lady of Solitude. This page refers exclusively to the historic monument near Sa Cabaneta. It must not be confused with a church of the same name in Palma or with a monastery complex near Santa Maria del Camí.
The site is especially worth visiting for travelers seeking traces of Mallorca’s history beyond its well-known old towns, castles, and pilgrimage sites. Rather than an extensive complex, the focus here is on a single monument. This makes the Creu a suitable destination for a short cultural and historical detour, particularly if Sa Cabaneta or the pottery tradition of Marratxí is already on the day’s itinerary.
The Creu should not be regarded as a substitute for a museum, a fully accessible church, or a monastery complex open to visitors. Its appeal lies in taking a closer look: at its name, its local connection, and the fact that small monuments also form part of Mallorca’s historical topography.
The local context
Sa Cabaneta is one of the settlement centers in the municipality of Marratxí. The municipality comprises several places that together form an area combining rural settlements with modern infrastructure. Sa Cabaneta is described as the historic center of Marratxí. Stone houses, views across the plain, and links to local pottery workshops shape the setting in which a single historic monument such as the Creu can also be appreciated.
This context is helpful for a visit because the Creu does not need to be viewed in isolation from its surroundings. It belongs to a municipality whose cultural identity is defined to a significant extent by its pottery tradition. The craft is still practiced by local producers and connects historical identity with contemporary activity. The Creu complements this artisanal focus with a religiously and historically named landmark.
The different place names are also part of this context. Sa Cabaneta and La Cabaneta refer to the same place but appear in different forms depending on the language and map service. The Catalan name of the attraction, however, remains the clearest search term. Using both the monument’s full name and one of the two place names makes it easier to distinguish the destination from similarly named places on Mallorca.
Visiting the Creu
Use the full name to find it
Even when preparing for the visit, the full Catalan name is more important here than it is for many other attractions. Searches for “Soledat,” “Convent de la Soledat,” or similar shortened forms can easily return destinations elsewhere on Mallorca. For map searches and navigation, always use Creu del Convent de Nostra Senyora de la Soledat, Sa Cabaneta. The place name may also appear in two forms: Sa Cabaneta is the Catalan version, while La Cabaneta is the Spanish version.
Taking this care prevents a fundamental mix-up: the destination is the historic monument, not the similarly named former monastery near Santa Maria del Camí and not the parish of La Soledat in Palma. Anyone searching only for the religious part of the name may therefore end up in the wrong place.
A historic monument
The name refers to a convent. For a visit to the Creu, however, its classification is crucial: the focus is a historic monument. This also has advantages, as the Creu can be included in a drive through Marratxí without extensive preparation and draws attention to a form of cultural heritage that is easily overlooked beside major religious buildings. Anyone who enjoys deciphering place names, documenting small monuments, or collecting historic waypoints will find a clear reason to stop and take a closer look here.
Understanding the name
The proper name combines several clues. “Creu” means cross, while “Convent” refers to a convent and “Nostra Senyora de la Soledat” establishes the religious reference in the name. These elements also explain why a shortened search is problematic: each individual part may also occur in the names of other religious buildings and monuments.
When viewing the site, therefore, more than the monument’s outward appearance matters. Its name and its association with Sa Cabaneta also form part of its historical context. Particularly in the case of a small monument, the full name can provide more context than a general search term such as cross, church, or convent. The linguistic form thus becomes an essential part of preparing for the visit.
Time planning and access
No fixed opening hours are recorded for the Creu. Likewise, no admission price is recorded. Before making a trip specifically for the site, it is therefore advisable to check the current access situation and exact location once more. This is especially important if the visit is tied to a fixed appointment or involves a longer journey.
No definitive visit duration can be given. Since the Creu is classified as a historic monument, the time required depends greatly on personal interest. Even so, a visit should involve more than just a navigation stop if you want to view it attentively: the full name, the location near Sa Cabaneta, and the distinction from places with similar names are essential to understanding the site.
The visit is more rewarding when it is not planned in isolation. Sa Cabaneta and Marratxí’s living pottery tradition provide a local context for the historic monument. This turns a difficult-to-classify point on the map into a small part of an exploration of the island’s interior.
Preparing your map search
Before setting out, check the map view to ensure that Sa Cabaneta or La Cabaneta appears as the destination area. A marker in Palma or near Santa Maria del Camí would indicate a different place. This check is particularly important if an application automatically shortens the search term or uses only the name element “Soledat.”
It is also helpful to save the Creu and other nearby destinations separately. Sant Marçal, local pottery businesses, and the monument have different locations and are not parts of a single complex. Separate navigation prevents an exploration of Marratxí’s history and crafts from becoming confused with the search for a similarly named religious site.
Getting there and parking
From Palma Airport
From Palma Airport, the road route initially follows the Ma-30, then the Ma-13, and finally the Ma-13A to Sa Cabaneta. The distance to the town is 19 road kilometers, and the drive takes around 21 minutes. These figures expressly apply as far as Sa Cabaneta or La Cabaneta, not directly to the monument.
For the final section, set the navigation destination to the Creu’s full name. Searching only for “Nostra Senyora de la Soledat” is unsuitable because it may show other religious sites on Mallorca. Before setting off, it is also worth checking whether the map application actually lists Sa Cabaneta as the destination.
From central Palma
From central Palma, the route follows the Ma-20, then the Ma-13 and the Ma-13A. This route is also 19 road kilometers as far as Sa Cabaneta. The drive takes around 25 minutes. The main difference from the airport route is the initial approach: from the city, the route begins on the Ma-20, while from the airport it uses the Ma-30.
Once again, the stated travel time ends in Sa Cabaneta. The final section to the Creu requires additional navigation within the local area. The Spanish and Catalan forms of the place name are particularly helpful here: both Sa Cabaneta and La Cabaneta refer to the correct destination area.
Parking and public transport
No confirmed information is available about parking located immediately beside the monument. You should therefore not assume that a designated parking area is available directly next to the Creu. It is sensible to check the current map view before setting out and determine the final section only after doing so.
When traveling by public transport, the monument’s location must also be distinguished from the general destination of Sa Cabaneta. The page provides the available stop data separately; it remains essential to check the route from the chosen stop to the Creu as well. Stops with “Santa Maria” in their names must not automatically be interpreted as indicating the monument’s location, because the Creu described on this page is associated with Sa Cabaneta.
Nearby bus stops
The available GTFS data lists the nearby stops Santa Maria Estació (211), Aparcament Son Gulla (56003), and IES Santa Maria (56002). These details identify stops in the wider area and do not replace checking the onward route to the monument. In particular, the name of a stop does not establish that it is located immediately beside the Creu.
Anyone wishing to use public transport should therefore first determine the appropriate connection to the chosen stop and then check the remaining route to the Creu separately. Sa Cabaneta or La Cabaneta remains the relevant place name for the monument. The designation Santa Maria in the stop names must not be equated with assigning the Creu to Santa Maria del Camí.
Differences between the two road routes
The routes from the airport and central Palma converge on the Ma-13 and Ma-13A but begin on different roads. From the airport, the Ma-30 is used first; from the center, it is the Ma-20. For orientation, this distinction is more helpful than entering a shortened destination because it clearly describes the documented approaches as far as Sa Cabaneta.
Both distance figures refer to the town. The monument itself then requires more precise local navigation. Anyone wishing to visit several destinations in Marratxí can therefore head to Sa Cabaneta first and then select the Creu, Sant Marçal, and possible stops connected with the pottery tradition individually.
Bus lines to Creu del Convent de Nostra Senyora de la Soledat at a glance
| Line | Route | Departures/day | First | Last |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| T3 | Palma - Manacor | 77 | 06:28 | 23:18 |
| T2 | Palma - sa Pobla | 73 | 06:08 | 22:42 |
| T1 | Palma - Inca | 64 | 06:18 | 22:18 |
| 343d | Santa Eugènia - Santa Maria | 12 | 08:40 | 19:30 |
From the official GTFS feeds (TIB/SFM), no real-time data. The figures cover all stops in the town; weekend and holiday services differ — check with the operator before travelling.
Getting there by bus
Santa Maria Estació (211) · 0.3 km as the crow flies
- T1Palma - Inca · Mo-Fr
- T2Palma - sa Pobla · Täglich
- T3Palma - Manacor · Täglich
Aparcament Son Gulla (56003) · 0.6 km as the crow flies
- 343dSanta Eugènia - Santa Maria · Mo-Fr
IES Santa Maria (56002) · 1.1 km as the crow flies
- 343dSanta Eugènia - Santa Maria · Mo-Fr
Timetable data: official GTFS feeds (TIB/EMT), no real-time — check with the operator before travelling.
Nearby attractions
Sa Cabaneta
Sa Cabaneta provides the appropriate setting for a visit to the Creu. The town belongs to Marratxí, a municipality comprising several settlement centers and located directly east of Palma. Maps and road signs may also display the Spanish form La Cabaneta. Both names lead to the same place; when searching for the monument, however, the full Catalan proper name should still be used.
Anyone who comes only for the Creu may easily overlook the broader context. Sa Cabaneta is not defined by the monumental scenery of a heavily promoted tourist old town. The place is more interesting as part of the organically developed Marratxí, where local everyday culture and individual historical remains exist side by side. The Creu fits this image exactly: it demands more attention than a large building visible from afar and is therefore especially suitable for a quiet, themed exploration.
The pottery tradition of Marratxí
Pottery is Marratxí’s best-known craft and continues to be practiced by local producers today. A visit to the Creu can therefore be usefully combined with an exploration of this tradition. This is not simply an arbitrary shopping break but an opportunity to experience a craft that forms part of the municipality’s cultural identity.
Planning the detour in this way provides two different perspectives on Marratxí: the Creu represents historically and religiously named cultural heritage, while pottery represents a craft tradition that is still practiced. Both themes can be explored together without creating an overcrowded day trip. At the same time, pottery provides a clear thematic counterpoint to the Creu: while the monument is viewed as a single historic landmark, pottery is a living tradition represented by local workshops and producers. This makes it possible to discover the municipality not only through past religious associations but also through a craft still maintained today.
Sant Marçal
Sant Marçal is another historic destination worth considering in Sa Cabaneta. The town’s ecclesiastical history reaches back to the Middle Ages; the first church known in Marratxí was built in the century following Jaume I’s conquest of Mallorca. Sant Marçal should be treated as a separate sightseeing destination and not as part of the Creu del Convent de Nostra Senyora de la Soledat.
This distinction is precisely what makes combining them worthwhile. The Creu is a single historic monument, while Sant Marçal is an independent religious site. Together, they show how sacred associations in Marratxí are not limited to one building. For navigation, each destination should be entered separately.
The surrounding area is therefore less suited to a sequence of major attractions than to a focused exploration of local history. Anyone combining Sa Cabaneta, the pottery of Marratxí, and the Creu experiences a part of Mallorca that, in the shadow of the nearby capital, is often seen only in passing.
A themed exploration of Marratxí
The Creu, Sant Marçal, and the pottery tradition do not form a single attraction, but they can be connected through the theme of local cultural heritage. The Creu, as a single historic monument, is the focus of this page. Sant Marçal broadens the perspective on Marratxí’s ecclesiastical history, while pottery represents a craft tradition that continues to be practiced.
Such a combination preserves the differences between the destinations. At the same time, it prevents the Creu from being equated with a church, an accessible monastery, or a pottery workshop. Each destination has its own function: the monument as a historic landmark, Sant Marçal as an independent religious site, and local pottery as a living cultural practice.
Local insider tips
Enter the full name
For navigation, always use “Creu del Convent de Nostra Senyora de la Soledat, Sa Cabaneta.” Shortened search terms can easily lead to religious sites with the same or similar names in Palma or Santa Maria del Camí.
Combine it with pottery
Marratxí is known for its pottery tradition, which remains active today. The Creu can therefore be usefully combined with a visit to local pottery businesses: the historic monument and contemporary craftsmanship provide two perspectives on the same municipality.
Note Sa and La Cabaneta
On maps, the town may appear as Sa Cabaneta in Catalan or La Cabaneta in Spanish. Both names refer to the correct destination area; for the monument itself, using the full proper name prevents confusion.
Plan Sant Marçal separately
Sant Marçal is an independent historic destination in Sa Cabaneta and is not part of the Creu. The two can be combined, but they should be searched for separately in navigation and viewed as distinct examples of local religious history.