Pollensa
Although Pollensa has become one of Mallorca’s most popular tourist spots, it still appears unspoiled. The town, with its ochre-coloured stone houses and winding lanes is picturesquely sited on the edge of fertile farmland.
Located in the valley enclosed by the Puig de Maria and the Calvari, Pollensa is the main municipal centre, with over 8,000 inhabitants.
History
The town of Pollensa was founded in 1229 with the Catalan conquest of Majorca, although the name goes back many years before this.
Under Moorish rule the town was known as Al-Bulansa and by the Romans as Pollentia, although the Roman city of Pollentia currently lies in the municipality of Alcúdia.
About town
Its old town, dating back to the 18th century, is made up of a series of narrow streets and emblematic buildings such as the Calvari, the Parish Church, the Cloister of Sant Domingo and the Jesuit School, among others.
Cultural attractions
Pollensa plays a leading role in the island’s cultural life. From the earliest years of the 20th century Pollensa became a favourite place for painters visiting the island; names like Miquel Costa i Llobera, Ramon Picó i Campamar,
Santiago Russinyol, Joaquim Mir, Anglada Camarasa, and many others, have contributed with their works (literature and painting) to making Pollensa well-known both in and outside Majorca.
Places to visit
The Church of Nostra Senyora del Roser, with its baroque altarpiece from 1651 and a sculpture of the Virgin dating from the 13th to 14th centuries.
The Calvari and the Roman Bridge, home to the image of the Mare de Déu de la Creu (Virgin of the Foot of the Cross), made in a single piece and attributed to the 13th or 14th centuries.
There are viewing points from which to enjoy the geographical layout of Pollensa. From here, descending along Creus and Gruat streets, we come to the Roman Bridge. This is possibly a military construction from the first centuries AD,
built to carry water to the Roman city of Pollentia (Alcúdia). A monument of historical and artistic interest.
The Puig de Maria Sanctuary situated at a height of 330 metres, at the bottom of the town, with chapel, refectory, tower and walls. all constructed between the ends of the 14th and 15th centuries.
El Castell del Rei (Kings Castle). A strategic position, possibly of Moorish construction, built on the site of an earlier building. The last bastion of the King of Majorca (1343).
The Sant Vicenç prehistoric caves.
At Cala Bóquer, situated at the foot of the Tramuntana range, important navicular constructions from the Talayotic period have been found; the origins of the pre-Roman city of Bocchoris.
The site is approximately 3000 years old. Close to the path is a small spring of drinking water. This area is also of great ornithological interest. Among plant species, we can find palmetto and a number of orchids (Orchis).
Places of interest
The Pollensa Museum is housed in what was the old Dominican convent, constructed between 1588 and 1616 which the Dominican friars occupied until 1836. The Pollensa Museum was
officially founded in 1975.
Over time its collection of paintings has grown and this collection has been enriched with pieces of an archaeological nature including a Buddhist mandala and the Atilio Boveri collection.
Festivals
An outstanding feature of Pollensa’s cultural image is the Festival of Classical Music which has been held annually in the cloister of Sant Domingo over the months of July and August since 1961. During its 40 years of uninterrupted existence and constant evolution, festival goers have been able to listen to Mstislav Rostropovich, Jessye Norman, Alban Berg Quartett, Montserrat
Caballé and the National Orchestra of France with Lorin Maazel.
The Pollensa Festival, presided over by Her Majesty Queen Sofia, has been a member of the European Association of Festivals for many years.
Cuisine
Traditional food is being rediscovered in the Balearics which varies from island to island, but reflects the cuisine of Catalonia with its combination of sweet and savoury. Pork is a main ingredient.
Do try the Langosta a la parrilla which partners spiny lobster with local home made mayonnaise. A must have with your breakfast coffee is an ensaimada which is a spiral-shaped yeast bun.
Climate
Mallorca enjoys a typical Mediterranean weather, with mild winters and hot summers. During the months of July and August, the weather is hot and beautifully sunny, boasting around 11 hours of sun daily.
During the winter, the weather can get chilly, but is generally you can enjoy fine, mild weather on most days.
