Elizabeth & Ben

Mallorca

A visit to Monti-sion, the former monastery and college, guides you to 365 steps leading to the El Calvari. This straight flight of stairs ends at a church from the 18th century. Tradition holds that the 14th century statue found inside of the crucified Christ was discovered by fishermen at Cala Sant Vicenç.

The Puig (mountain) is 330 metres high and can be climbed within an hour. We recommend parking on the outskirts of the town, where it’s easier to find space. To find the Puig, walk away from the town and turn into the narrow tarred road at km 52 (driving from Palma to Pollença). The mighty holm oaks provide some shade on the way up. The Puig de Pollença has a long history: in the 14th century the black pest was raging, devastating the local population. This was when the Bishop ordered a chapel to be built on the Puig de Maria. Only twenty years later the history of the cloister began, when three nuns rested next to the chapel and had the epiphany of Maria. To protect the town from pirates a defence tower was built in the same century. A century later the church and the refectory were built. The panoramic views from the top are stunning, and the peace and tranquillity very soothing (unless you happen to visit during spring fair, when you’ll find a fun, family-friendly fiesta taking place, infused with the delicious cooking smells of a giant pans of paella).

The oldest monastery in Mallorca, the Sancturi del Puig de Maria was abandoned in 1576, when the nuns were instructed to move to Palma. Today, the hermitage offers modest refuge accommodation in the former nuns’ cells, and there is a small restaurant with simple Mallorcan dishes on the menu.
You will notice the famous ‘ikat’, or ‘llengües’ fabric pattern everywhere in Mallorca. The bright craft and textile store and workshop Teixits Vicens, located at Can Berenguer, at the crossroads between Pollença and Port de Pollença, is one of three Mallorcan companies continuing the tradition of producing this distinctive cloth.

Sample the freshest, fruitiest, most flavour-packed wine selection at Bodegas Ca’n Vidalet, 4km out of town just off the Pollença to Alcúdia road. This modern, welcoming vineyard is a fine place to wind down and taste chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, moscatel, merlot and syrah wines.
Also there is Mortitx, which has wine tasting, on the way to, driving up to the monastery.

Areas of Palma, such as La Lonja and the old town, are steeped in history and photo-worthy architecture, where you can easily explore the narrow streets on foot.
Culture abounds, with numerous galleries and museums such as Es Baluard and Palau March offering diverse exhibitions and classical music concerts throughout the year.

MAJOR ATTRACTIONS IN PALMA
Be sure to include La Seu – the local name for Palma Cathedral – and the 14th century hilltop Bellver Castle on your sightseeing ‘must see’ list. One of Palma’s most import museums, Es Baluard Museum of Modern & Contemporary Art offers a permanent collection comprised of paint work, sculptures, ceramics and drawings from names such as Cézanne, Gauguin, Picasso, Miró, Magritte or Giacometti. Overlooking the Paseo Maritimo and La Lonja, even the view alone is incredible.
The Fundación La Caixa on Plaza Weyler has a nice museum, restaurant and bar, and a book shop all under the roof of one of Palma’s modern, architectural highlights called the Gran Hotel as it used to function as such from 1903 – 1953. It’s always well worth a wander through to catch some of the temporary exhibitions.
The museum Pilar & Joan Miró Foundation was established due to the Miró’s growing concern that when he passed away his creative environment would be destroyed. By auctioning numerous paintings at Sotheby’s after his death, Pilar (his wife) founded the actual building which contains his workshops and his works as well as being a meeting point for writers, artists, musicians, etc. to exchange ideas and work together.

Every day from 9.00 – 13.30, there are several markets, the most important one is the market in Pollença on Sundays. This market is visited by thousands of people coming from all parts of the island.
Other good markets to visit are the markets of Santa Maria, Sineu and Inca.

List of markets in Mallorca:
MONDAY: Calvià, Lloret de Vistalegre, Manacor, Caimari, Montuïri.
TUESDAY: Alcúdia, Artà, Campanet, Porreresuand Santa Margalida.
WEDNESDAY: Andratx, Capdepera, Felanitx, Petra, Port de Pollença, Santanyí, Selva, Sencelles, Sineu, Vilafranca de Bonany and Colònia de Sant Jordi (middays).
THURSDAY: Ariany, Campos, S ́Arenal, Consell, Inca, Pòrtol, Sant Llorenç de Cardassar, Ses Salines, Sant Joan, Lloseta and Deià.
FRIDAY: Alaro, Algaida, Binissalem, Can Picafort, Llucmajor, Maria de la Salut, Pont d ́Inca, Son Servera and Sa Cabaneta.
SATURDAY: Búger, Bunyola, Cala Rajada, Campos, Costitx, Esporles (first Saturday of the month), Palma de Mallorca, Santanyí, Sóller, Santa Eugènia and Santa Margalida.
SUNDAY: Alcúdia, Consell (Flohmarkt), Felanitx, Llucmajor, Muro, Pollença, Porto Cristo, Santa Maria del Camí, Valldemossa and Sa Pobla.