On a trip to Mallorca, the town of Valldemossa, just over 2000 population, it becomes an almost obligatory walk for visitors. located 20 kilometers Palma de Mallorca a 430 meters above sea level on the Tramuntana mountain range, this small and at the same time charming town, offers monuments of great heritage value such as those housed in the Royal Charterhouse of Valldemossa, It also invites you to an interesting tour through its narrow streets., its squares and viewpoints, that offer a particular magic. Various fountains and rich vegetation give Valldemossa a feeling of tranquility throughout the itinerary.
Valldemossa could have been born as an agricultural livestock community, communities known in the Middle Ages as farmhouses, a group of houses neighboring the cities composed of farms and workhouses where families dedicated themselves to the exploitation of the land and raising livestock. Later these towns would evolve, establishing residences of greater importance there that would give the complex a diverse appearance in terms of its architecture and function..
During the period of Islamic domination, 8th century, a nobleman of Arab origin would have settled in the Valley, called Moses from whom the name Vall de Mussa is believed to derive, then Valldemossa.
The main point of the visit is the Monumental Complex known as The Royal Charterhouse of Valldemossa, Charterhouse of Valldedmossa, in Majorcan.
Visit to The Charterhouse
Within the complex we will find various rooms and exhibitions that summarize what life was like in this palace.. Following an ordered itinerary, we can find the following points of interest:
A. Iglesia: It is the first building at the beginning of our tour. With a plan in the shape of a Latin cross with a richly decorated dome over the transept, This neoclassical church has works by several artists such as the Catalan sculptor Adrià Ferran, author of the main altarpiece and the image of Saint Catherine Thomas, born in Valldemossa. The images that can be seen in the church today are copies whose originals have been located in the cathedral of Mallorca. Both in the church and in the sacristy you can see works by various artists, such as the Mallorcan craftsman Sebastián Muntaner..
B. Pharmacy: Following the route we will find the Monástica pharmacy, founded by monks in 1722, who prepared medicines mostly with medicinal plants obtained from their own gardens. Here you can see containers used to preserve medicines and also the tools and equipment used to manufacture them.. As can be seen, many of these containers are richly decorated with the most diverse motifs.
C. The Prior's Cell of the Charterhouse – Priority Cell: here you will find a private oratory, library, a courtroom, his bedroom and dining room and the gardens. Gaspar de Jovellanos was held captive here. Memories of the Mallorcan saint of whom the monks were devoted are also displayed here., Santa Catalina Thomas. It is possible from here to access the gardens.
D. Frederic Chopin and George Sand Collection: in the old cell of one of the Carthusian monks, Chopin was hosted in the year 1838. He arrived at the Charterhouse together with his partner, the French writer Amandine Dupin, better known by her pseudonym., George Sand and her two children. Various objects from the artists are exhibited here., including sheet music, cards, manuscripts and originals of her works as well as various drawings and personal objects such as the chair described by the writer in her work “A winter in Mallorca”.
E. Guasp Woodcut Collection: in this room of the Municipal Museum, within the Cartuja complex, various woodcuts are exhibited, graphic material, xylographic matrices and the original press that were part of the Printing Press that belonged to the Guasp family, the third largest printing press in Mallorca and which has remained in operation since 1576 until 1958.
F. Archduke Louis Salvador of Austria Collection: objects belonging to the archduke obtained in his various journeys throughout his life, as well as manuscripts, They can also be seen in this room of the Museum.
G. Art gallery: Here works by national and international artists are exhibited, many of which describe Mallorca and its landscape environment..
H. Contemporary Art Museum: works by 20th century authors are exhibited here. Miro, Picasso, Jorge Luis Borges, among other important contemporary artists.
I. Concert hall: In this room, visitors are offered a piano recital of about 15 minutes long, where works by the master Chopin are performed.
The gardens: From each of the cells it is possible to access the gardens, in which it is worth stopping to enjoy the tranquility that they offer as well as the charming landscape which was appreciated by the large number of artists and personalities who passed through here..
J. Sancho Palace: The origin of the Cartuja Complex, It begins with the construction of the Sancho Palace in the 14th century, a residential building that King James II built for his son Sancho, according to various interpretations, built on what was the residence of the aforementioned Moses, who gave rise to the name of this town of Valldemossa. Moving on later, this palace, to be a castle for the monarchy of Mallorca to rest. At the end of the 14th century, at the end of the monarchy, the palace is given to the Carthusian friars, who lived there until the mid-19th century. The monks carried out various reforms, turning the palace into a monastery, becoming the parade ground, the residence cloister, as well as other rooms were converted into chapels and cells. What was the Gothic church, north of the complex, It is today a concert hall. In the 18th century, expansion work would begin.. Finally, Mid-nineteenth century, the Cartuja passes into private hands, being a welcome place for famous artists such as Unamuno and Rubén Darío. The palace was richly decorated and later opened to the public.
The opening hours for the whole of La Cartuja are 9:30 a 19 hs in the months of May to September. The ticket office closes half an hour before the closing of the complex.. The rest of the year it is open to the public, but with shorter hours. He 25 December and 1 from January, remains closed. The cost of entry is €9.50 for adults., 4€ for children between 10 Y 14 years, 7.50€ for over 65 years and €6 for students. For groups of more than 6 people the price is reduced to €6 per person.
Leaving the Cartuja Complex, the village of Valldemossa, with its tree-lined and quiet streets, invites us to tour it. We will find various bars and restaurants along the way where we can taste typical Mallorcan foods and other specialties.. A special sweet is the call “Potato Coca” which can be accompanied by a refreshing drink as well as a delicious coffee or hot chocolate..
Although the height gives it a special freshness, It is advisable, If our visit is in summer, Take the tour early in the morning when the air is more pleasant or when the sun goes down and the alleys and squares begin to come alive with visitors and merchants offering the most diverse products..
Go to Public plaza, on Calle Sa Plaça or until Sa Miranda at the end of Jovellanos street, It can be a good excuse to take a tour of the attractive and picturesque streets of the town.
The Public Plaza It was formerly a center of communal activities and market, Here you can see a building with two-level arches that formerly functioned as an inn.
The Arch of Sa Miranda served as a link to the outside from the Cartuja complex, From there we access Plaza Rubén Darío and a viewpoint at the foot of the “Hostes” tower..
Neighbor to this square, in Rectory Street N°5, there is another point of interest such as the Birthplace of Saint Catherine Thomas who was born in Valldemossa in the middle of the 16th century. She is the only Majorcan saint and highly venerated on the island.. We can observe this devotion in the tiles that neighbors carefully place in front of their houses., as well as banners with their image that we can see in different buildings and streets..
Valldemossa has a special charm, both because of its location, his physiognomy, its urban conformation and its architecture as well as the care with which its residents maintain their facades and surroundings..
Yes, after the tour of this beautiful town, We want to enjoy the crystal clear waters and beaches that the Mediterranean also offers us here., One option, not very far away is the Port and Marina of Valldemossa. On a tour of 8 kilometers, that it would take us some 20 minutes, due to the sinuosity of the road, we will arrive at Sa Marina. A stream flows into this beautiful cove and a fishing port is located there.. The beaches are accessible and open to give us the possibility of a pleasant refreshing swim.. Also here we find a restaurant and health infrastructure.
Valldemosa, an attractive cultural walk, to enjoy and do in half a day. A fantastic getaway to learn about part of the history and culture of this island, also enjoying a charming town and wonderful views that the place offers from its privileged location.
No this allowed the use or copy of the written material, information written and / or graphic, photographs and any items published in the Blog www.portalciudadspots.com without proper legal authorization.