Majorca counts with many castles and samples of defensive architecture, which are part of the archipelago history. Specifictly, the island has an historic heritage where there legends, towers, castles and fortresses stand out.
From Vacalia! we invite you to know four majorcan castles routes:
Castell d’Alaró
- Timetable: Free access
- Ubication: Alaró, in the occidental part of Majorca.
At 822 meters high, in an exceptional are of the Tramuntana mountains (UNESCO World heritage Site), we find the most beautiful defensive architecture of Majorca: The Alaró castle. This fortress was one of the last Arabian resistance after the arrival of Jaime I the conqueror in 122. Nowadays we preserve the castle wall with five towers. The Honour Tower stands out.
The access to the tower is on foot. There are several routes: from Alaró town, which path is marked by the Dry Stone Route. We can access to the fortress by car as from the town through the Bunyola road and turn off left at the Castle path (Camí des Castell). You will have to leave the car parked in the Es Pouet terrace. The Es Verger houses is another starting point. Finally, you can also start the route in Orient. All the excursions are suitable for all the family, even you can do it with babies. For hosting, we propose the rental houses Picara in Mancor de la Vall, Granja in Inca or Vía Roma in Binissalem.
Castell de Santueri
- Timetable: Summer: 9am to 6.30pm. Winter: 10am to 5pm.
- Ubication: Felanitx, Castle road.
This is the best preserved rock castle in Majorca. Situated near to Felanitx, this fortress was used as a residents refuge since the end of the roman period until the end of the XVI century. The best of all are the landscape views that you can see from the fortress. There are not many visits in August so it is a good moment to visit it.
The visit has 11 highlighted points: Tronera door and cuerpo de Guardia, the tribute tower, the north wall, a wood stove and the “Cámara del castellano”, the main cistern as a part of the Castle hidraulic system, the south-west wall and the knight towers painting, a room with two attached cisterns, the east wall, a calcareous stone quarry, and, finally, a wall with a cistern and a lower terrace painting. In the Felanitx sorrounding, we can recommend Son Veny in Porreres and Cirera in Petra as lodgings.
Castell de Capdepera
- timetable: Summer: 9am to 8pm. Winter: 10am to 5pm.
- Ubication: Capdepera, Castell street
The Capdepera Castle is located in a strategic area. It is situated at the north-est of the island, in a hump from where you can see Menorca. Jaume II ordered the construction of this fortress in 1300 as a defence of the pirates attacks. to visit it, we recommend a chronological route which starts at the entrance and goes through the following places following the evolution of the castle history: Miguel Nunis tower, church terrace, cistern, church, wall, governor house and the archaeological excavations area.
This castle is very well preserved, it can be visited during all the year and the generated incomes are destinated to the presentation and conservation of the cultural heritage of the Capdepera local council.
There is a medieval market in the fortress the third weekend of may. Next to Capdepera, from Vacalia! we offer large familiar accommodations with swimming pools and gardens as Casa Ángela and Bongust.
Castell de Bellver
- Timetable: Summer: (from tuesday to saturday) 10am to 7pm. (sunday and bank holidays) 10am to 3pm. Winter: (from tuesday to saturday) 10am to 6pm. (sunday and bank holidays) 10am to 3pm.
- Ubication: Palma, Camilo José Cela street.
It is a gothic castle with a circular floor built in the XIV century. There are excellent views of the city of Palma and the port, as it is located in a 112 meter high hill. Located at 3km from the center of the city, currently there is the municipal history museum. It is one of the most original and emblematic constructions of Majorca. The façade germinated windows are one of the most highlighted elements.
Inside of the castle you can enjoy a guided tour to know the building, as well as permanent exhibitions of the history of Palma, activities like educative programmes or workshops. In the sorroundings of Palma, a good option to enjoy your holidays next to the see is the rental house Mirablau in Cala Blava, or an inland ubication like Blau nit in Puigpunyent.
If you are already planning your holidays in Majorca for 2019, as well as choosing your perfect rental house, don’t forget to include this list with the four most distinguished castles of the majorcan defensive architecture in your check list.
