Monument a la Verge de la Pau near S'Arxiduc
Monument a la Verge de la Pau is a religious monument in the area around S'Arxiduc in northwestern Mallorca. At its center is a statue of the Virgin Mary at Mirador de na Burguesa. The Catalan name can be understood as “Monument to the Virgin of Peace.”
The site is less suitable as the sole destination for a long excursion than as a peaceful stop while exploring the hills west of Palma. That is precisely where its appeal lies: the focus is on the sculpture in the setting of a viewpoint that is also crossed by hiking and mountain biking routes.
It is important to identify the exact location. The monument near S'Arxiduc is neither Ermita de la Pau near Algaida nor the monumental peace memorial in Venezuela. Despite the similar-sounding place name, it should also not be confused with Camí de s'Arxiduc above Valldemossa. This refers exclusively to the Virgin Mary statue at Mirador de na Burguesa near Palma.
What to See
The Virgin Mary Statue
The focus of the visit is the statue of the Virgin Mary known as Monument a la Verge de la Pau. Its religious meaning is already contained in the name: in Catalan, “Verge” refers to the Virgin and “Pau” to peace. The monument can therefore be understood both as an image of the Virgin Mary and as a symbol of peace.
At the site, attention centers on the sculpture itself and its position in the landscape. It is a monument whose effect can be appreciated from different viewpoints. The architectural details that become visible depend more strongly on where you stand than they would with a monument viewed straight on from a square.
Mirador de na Burguesa
The statue is described as a landmark at Mirador de na Burguesa. The viewpoint is therefore not merely an incidental location detail but an essential part of the visitor experience. Here, the monument does not stand against a backdrop of urban buildings but in a setting used for walks, hikes, and mountain biking tours. The contrast between focusing closely on the figure of the Virgin Mary and taking in the broader view from the Mirador shapes the visit.
Visitors primarily interested in grand architecture, historic interiors, or extensive collections should adjust their expectations accordingly. The monument draws its appeal from its simple symbolism: a religious figure, a name dedicated to peace, and a location at a viewpoint. Visitors who appreciate small cultural landmarks in the Mallorcan landscape will find more here.
Name and Possible Confusion
On Mallorca, “la Pau” appears in the names of several religious sites. For this visit, the connection with S'Arxiduc and Mirador de na Burguesa is therefore crucial. Ermita de la Pau is located near Algaida in another part of the island and is a chapel; it is not part of this monument. Likewise, the well-known Archduke’s paths near Valldemossa cross a different landscape. Entering the destination precisely prevents the journey from ending at a similarly named site.
Visiting the Monument
A Short, Focused Stop
A good approach is to first view the statue up close and then take in its position at the Mirador. The length of the visit depends on your interests and planned itinerary. For some, it remains a short photo stop, while others combine the site with a longer stay at the viewpoint or a route on foot or by mountain bike.
The monument is particularly interesting for travelers looking beyond the major museums and churches for a religious sculpture in a scenic setting. It also works well as an intermediate destination if Gènova, the western edge of Palma, or the hills around Mirador de na Burguesa are already on the day’s itinerary. As the sole destination of a long trip across the island, however, the statue may offer too little.
Planning Your Visit
No confirmed opening hours or admission details are available. As accessibility and local conditions may change, current information should be checked immediately before setting out. This is particularly important if the monument is not simply a casual stop along a route but the main reason for the journey.
There is no reliable information about the busiest times. Planning should therefore be based more on the weather, visibility, and your own route than on a supposedly guaranteed quiet time. Photographers will benefit from trying several perspectives at the site: the relationship between the statue and the viewpoint is more expressive than a tightly framed image of the figure alone.
Part of an Active Route
The site is also listed as a waypoint for hiking and mountain biking routes. This means a visit can be more than a drive followed by a brief stop: on an active excursion, the statue forms a clearly recognizable cultural highlight between scenic sections of the route. Saving a map before setting out is recommended, as the name S'Arxiduc alone will not necessarily lead directly to the Virgin Mary statue at the Mirador.
Getting There and Parking
From Palma Airport
The road distance from Palma Airport to S'Arxiduc is 18 km. The drive takes around 19 minutes and follows the Ma-20. These details refer to the journey as far as S'Arxiduc. For navigation, Mirador de na Burguesa should be used as a reference point, and the exact route should be checked before departure.
The Ma-20 provides the faster section of the journey around Palma. Anyone entering only the name “Verge de la Pau” also risks confusing it with other religious sites on Mallorca.
From Central Palma
The road distance from central Palma to S'Arxiduc is 8 km; this journey also takes around 19 minutes. The relatively long travel time compared with the distance shows that city traffic should not be underestimated when planning. Here too, the details refer to S'Arxiduc.
There is no confirmed information about a designated visitor parking area directly at the monument. It is therefore advisable to check the parking situation at the exact destination on a current map before traveling and not assume that spaces are available next to the statue. This is especially important if the visit is intended to form part of a hike or mountain biking tour.
By Public Transport
Bus stops are located in Gènova and around camí dels Reis and camí des Tramvia. They provide access to the wider area. Before traveling, check the current connection and the appropriate stop. The return journey requires the same care, as a viewpoint is not a typical urban transport hub.
Getting there by bus
140-Gènova · 0.6 km as the crow flies
- 47Gènova - la Bonanova - Sindicat (esquerra) · 08:00–08:00 · Täglich
148-Gènova · 0.6 km as the crow flies
- 46la Bonanova - Gènova - Sindicat (dreta) · 08:00–08:00 · Täglich
139-camí dels Reis - camí des TramVia · 0.6 km as the crow flies
- 47Gènova - la Bonanova - Sindicat (esquerra) · 08:00–08:00 · Täglich
149-camí dels Reis - camí des Tramvia · 0.6 km as the crow flies
- 46la Bonanova - Gènova - Sindicat (dreta) · 08:00–08:00 · Täglich
141-camí dels Reis - carrer de la Coma · 0.7 km as the crow flies
- 47Gènova - la Bonanova - Sindicat (esquerra) · 08:00–08:00 · Täglich
147-camí dels Reis - carrer de la Coma · 0.7 km as the crow flies
- 46la Bonanova - Gènova - Sindicat (dreta) · 08:00–08:00 · Täglich
1060-camí dels Reis - Tren de sa Pedrera · 0.8 km as the crow flies
- 47Gènova - la Bonanova - Sindicat (esquerra) · 08:00–08:00 · Täglich
1061-camí dels Reis - Tren de sa Pedrera · 0.8 km as the crow flies
- 46la Bonanova - Gènova - Sindicat (dreta) · 08:00–08:00 · Täglich
146-Cementeri de Gènova · 0.9 km as the crow flies
- 46la Bonanova - Gènova - Sindicat (dreta) · 08:00–08:00 · Täglich
142-Cementeri de Gènova · 1.0 km as the crow flies
- 47Gènova - la Bonanova - Sindicat (esquerra) · 08:00–08:00 · Täglich
1049-Poliesportiu Rudy Fernàndez · 1.2 km as the crow flies
- 47Gènova - la Bonanova - Sindicat (esquerra) · 08:00–08:00 · Täglich
1050-Poliesportiu Rudy Fernàndez · 1.2 km as the crow flies
- 46la Bonanova - Gènova - Sindicat (dreta) · 08:00–08:00 · Täglich
Timetable data: official GTFS feeds (TIB/EMT), no real-time — check with the operator before travelling.
Nearby Places
Gènova
Gènova is the nearest reference point for arriving by public transport and a useful addition to the excursion. Coves de Gènova are located nearby, making it possible to combine a small religious memorial with a very different type of attraction on the same day. Visiting conditions for the caves should be checked independently of the monument.
Palma
Thanks to the short road connection to Palma, the monument can easily be included before or after a stay in the island’s capital. Combining it with destinations in the western part of the city is particularly convenient, rather than crossing the entire Old Town for a single intermediate stop. Fundació Pilar i Joan Miró a Mallorca is one of the cultural sites that fits well into such an itinerary.
The monument provides a deliberate contrast to Palma’s major attractions, as the focus is on a single figure of the Virgin Mary at a viewpoint. Combining both offers two different forms of Mallorcan culture: art presented by an institution and a religious symbol within the landscape.
The Coast West of Palma
Cala Major and other coastal destinations west of the capital can also be included in the excursion. This is especially worthwhile if the monument is intended as a short cultural stop. For a well-paced day, however, enough time should be allowed for the local journey to the Mirador.
Local insider tips
Include the Mirador in Your Search
When using navigation, do not search only for “Verge de la Pau.” Including S'Arxiduc and Mirador de na Burguesa helps avoid confusion with Ermita de la Pau near Algaida.
Plan It as a Waypoint
The statue is also listed as a destination on hiking and mountain biking routes. Instead of traveling there only for a photo, the monument can serve as a cultural waypoint on an active excursion.
View the Statue and Mirador Together
For a more meaningful impression, do not view only the Virgin Mary statue up close. Stepping back reveals how the peace motif and the setting at the Mirador work together.
Combine It with Gènova
Anyone planning more than a short monument stop can combine the visit with Gènova and its caves. This gives the excursion a second distinct destination in addition to the viewpoint.