Explore remarkable villages, cultural artifacts and historical sites in the Serra de Tramuntana.
The Serra de Tramuntana, a mountain range situated in the Spanish island of Mallorca, is an impressive natural landscapes. Home to several municipalities, protected spaces, public estates and heritage sites, including villages such as: Deià and Pollença. Along with public estates like Son Amer and the rocky Castell de Rei, Serra de Tramuntana attracts visitors to its developed and natural scenery, providing them with a unique experience.
Municipalities
Located in the middle of the Serra de Tramuntana and close to the Teix mountain is Deià. Comprised of three zones, Es Puig – the central part and Es Clot – the village contains a historical church and approximately 3.1 miles of coastline where one can visit the Cala Deià and Llucalcari beaches.
Situated to the northeast of Deià is Pollença. Partially characterized by its cliffs of Formentor and coastline, the village is the home of several isolated coves and also Port de Pollença, a tourist resort. Additionally, it contains the Four Seasons Hotel Formentor, previously known as Hotel Formentor, which accommodated notable figures, like: Winston Churchill, Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly.
Located in the west of Mallorca is Valldemossa. Positioned in a valley and linked by some of its steep streets, the village has inspired noteworthy authors and is defined by the beauty of several of its historical spots, including: La Cartoixa, a Carthusian monastery, and Miramar and S’Estaca, sites linked to Archduke Ludwig Salvator.
Protected spaces and public estates
Comprised of Sa Dragonera island, Es Pantaleu and Sa Mitjana islets and the Es Calafats rocks, Sa Dragonera Natural Park is a protected space of approximately 1 square mile that was spared from urbanization after a popular campaign. One can visit the lighthouses here by walking one of several routes.
Situated east of Sa Dragonera is Son Amer Public Estate. Many cultural artifacts can be found here, like charcoal furnaces, lime kilns, fountains and a watermill, along with several of the springs and streams that powered some of them. Additionally, one can stay in the property’s historical buildings, which have been converted into a shelter.
Located a 57-minute drive away from Son Amer is Tossals Verds Public Estate, a property containing similar cultural elements with diverse vegetation. The home to holm-oak woods and mountain garrigue, along with historical olive groves, travelers can visit this area of natural splendor and stay at it too, as Tossals Verds has a shelter open all year round.
Heritage sites
The possessiós, or rural farming estates, are areas with historical roots, as they were vital for the agricultural and livestock-based economy to succeed in this region. One may visit the fortified ones, such as the Son Marroig possessió, the ones converted to Baroque palaces like Alfàbia, or the Neo-classical Raixa.
As Mallorca was geographically isolated, it needed to protect itself and its economy from pirate attacks. In order to do so, defense and lookout towers were built beginning in the 16th century and remain there to this day. One can travel to several to obtain views of the sea and Serra de Tramuntana, including: La Trinitat, La Pedrissa and Na Seca towers.
Similarly, the Christians of Mallorca constructed many castles to defend themselves after King Jaume I’s conquest, and several were used by King Jaume III’s followers to defend against King Pedro IV’s invasion centuries later. Travelers can visit some of these castles today, like Castell de Rei and Castell d’Alaró.
