THE ISLAND CENTER

Small and quaint villages for nice trips

The center of the island has much to offer, beautiful old villages, such as Sa Pobla, but also the mountain range of Majorca, the Serra de Tramuntana, the wine regions of Es Pla and much more. We have put together a few worth seeing goals here.

Castell d´Alaró

The ruin of the Castell d’Alaró perched on the summit of the Puig d’Alaró stands enthroned and visible from afar. The mighty walls of the fortress have been impregnable for centuries and are still a symbol of freedom in the cultural memory of the islanders. In 1931, the castle was awarded the status of an official Spanish cultural monument.

The village of Alaró and its fort of the same name are located about 25 kilometers northeast from the capital Palma de Mallorca. In order to reach the ruins, the visitors have to go on a little adventure trip. The roads to the summit of the Puig d’Alaró are unpaved, with countless potholes and winds up the slope in tight serpentines.

Valldemossa

In the northwest of Majorca, in the middle of the Serra de Tramuntana region lies Valldemossa. The contemplative village at an altitude of over 400 meters was appreciated by the former rulers, the kings of the Balearic Island, especially for its agreeable summer climate. King Jaume II had even built a palace in Valldemossa, which his successor Sancho I later expanded to create here a retreat and “spa” because he suffered from asthma. Because even for this kind of suffering, the climate in Valldemossa is said to be well suited and wholesome. However, the most famous visitor of the place is the composer Frédéric Chopin, who spent the winter of 1838/39 together with the French author George Sand. Sand wrote her memories of this episode later in her novel “A Winter in Mallorca”, which also describes the nature of the area in and around Valldemossa impressively. The lovers spent the winter in a former Carthusian monastery from 1399, the Charterhouse of Valldemossa. The romantic stay of the two artists came to a sudden close after just under three months by the renewed worsening of the tuberculosis disease in which Chopin suffered. The village records more than 100,000 visitors a year, the majority of which is probably due to the stay of the famous couple. The Charterhouse can be visited today, after being rebuilt and prepared for visitors. In addition to “typical” Mallorcan everyday objects also legacies of the Polish composer are exhibited. The old cloister pharmacy and the monastery garden are worth seeing. In the nearby Museo Municipal you can also admire works by Picasso and Miró. Valldemossa also has special status because of the fact that it is the birthplace of the famous saint Majorca, the Catalina Thomás. For example, on a walk through the pretty town, you can see intricately designed tiles depicting the lives of the saints who are especially worshiped here. The parish church of Sant Bartomeu with its old bell tower is also worth a visit.

Fornalutx: Discovering a Village Beauty

Another reason to move away from the coast is the picturesque villages in the interior. Fornalutx is considered the most beautiful village of the island and is located in the heart of the Sierra de Tramuntana, nestled in wild cliffs and bright orange plantations. You can expect enchanted alleyways, small stone steps, colorful tiled, typical Mallorcan houses and (depending on the season) a colorful floral splendor. Main square is the Plaza Espana with the parish Navidad de Nostra Senyora from the 16th century. More Mediterranean village idyll does not work.

The site also houses the Costa Nord Cultural Center, which was initiated by the efforts of actor Michael Douglas. Here you will find information and interesting facts about the nature of the Tramuntana mountains as well as the annual cultural events of the region. But even the culinary side is not neglected in Valldemossa. A sweet-and-refreshing drink made from almonds and a pastry traditionally made from potatoes are typical of the area. To the north is Port de Valldemossa, where after a long foray through the village, one can finally experience some cooling off. The small beach at the foot of the harbor is rarely visited and so you can even in the summer months here often enjoy a “private” bath in crystal clear water. If you want to visit Valldemossa in low season, then it is not quite as busy. Especially on Sundays you have the chance that many tourist destinations have closed, good opportunities for undisturbed exploration.

The Serra de Tramuntana

The cultural landscape of the Serra consists of trails, terraced fields, walls and traditional dry stone buildings, a human trail that in this case has not destroyed nature but has integrated harmoniously into it, creating a space unique in the world.

The cultural heritage includes traces of important figures forever associated with the Tramuntana, such as King James I, the mystic Ramon Llull, the Archduke Ludwig Salvator of Austria or the romantic couple consisting of the musician Frédéric Chopin and the writer George Sand. Go on a search for clues!

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