Page 26 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Mallorca, Menorca & Ibiza

24  INTRODUCING THE BALEARIC ISLANDS A POR TR AIT OF THE BALEARIC ISLANDS  25

Architecture of the Churches
Balearic Islands Whitewashed churches are typical of Ibiza, Triple arcades small belfry
Typical
although they can also be seen on Menorca
The Balearic Islands boast a rich and diverse architectural and Formentera. Often they stand at the centre
heritage. The sights worth seeing range from prehistoric of the village or on a hillside at its outskirts. The Three crosses on the
chamber tombs to magnificent aristocratic mansions and entrance to the dark interior is usually preceded façade – the symbol of
palaces. Palma has the most to see, notably the fine Gothic by a triple arcade. Golgotha
cathedral which was renovated by Antoni Gaudí, while
Menorca has many remains from the Talayotic period. Ibiza’s The belfry on a
houses, influenced by the Arabs, have inspired some of village church is
usually a simple affair.
the greatest architects of the 20th century including Le Main entrance to a residence It consists of a
Corbusier and Walter Gropius. in Els Calderers in Mallorca distinctive arcade
rising above the
façade, crowned with
Country Houses an iron cross and A church is often adjoined by a single-storey parish
housing a bell.
Whitewashed stone Narrow entrance
The typical village landscape is walls building or a vestry. It may be surrounded by a low stone wall
marked by low, often white­ Small window in door and feature an enclosed forecourt.
washed houses. Built of the local a recess
stone, many have aged to a Watchtowers
yellow­brown colour, blending
with their surroundings. Thick The stone towers that can be seen
walls and few openings ensure along the coastline were built to
that the interior stays cool even protect the islands from attacks by
on the hottest days. A farmstead pirates, mainly from North Africa, who
often also includes some modest raided the ports and inland towns. The
outbuildings; the whole More modest homes are often adjoined by farm buildings, with towers stand in secluded, inaccessible
surrounded by a garden a small granary on top. Village houses are almost always single­ spots, so that they could be easily
and fields. storey dwellings. defended. Most of the towers are
deserted, and closed to visitors. A
few are used as viewpoints.
Country Estates
Towers on Mallorca are slender. For extra Martello towers are dotted all over
At the centre of each country estate protection, their entrances were high Menorca. These round towers with thick
was a fine hacienda (or possessió). above the ground. Their walls feature walls and flat roofs were built by either
Their owners vied with each other narrow loopholes. the British or the Spanish.
by building ever more extravagant
dwellings attesting to their wealth Windmills of the Balearic Islands
and importance. The interiors were
furnished with magnificent furniture Stone-built windmills are another typical feature of the Balearic
and paintings. The accommodation landscape. Early mills were used to grind grain; later they were
included formal apartments, private Great country houses, such as La Granja on Mallorca’s southwest used to pump water. Most stone-built mills are no longer in
rooms and domestic quarters. Some coast, belonged to wealthy landowning families and were run use and are slowly falling into disrepair. Some have lost their
are now let as holiday homes. according to a feudal system. sails, and they now resemble watchtowers. Others have been
converted into restaurants, with the machinery and millstones
serving as tourist attractions.
Villas
This form of architecture appeared on Mallorca
in the 19th century. Villas, serving as summer
residences, were built in line with the fashion
of the day. Their numbers rose with the
increasing popularity of the island.

Typical windmills were usually
Windmills were built mostly on the plains among green fields, and were built near towns with food
used to grind corn or to drive the pumps of deep-water wells. Some farmers markets, such as Sineu. The
Old villas, with their delightful architecture, can be still use wind power to pump water even today because they are cheaper miller would often live in
Modern villas are often owned by the rich and famous. They seen in many large town centres and in seaside resorts to run than petrol-driven pumps. the tower.
stand in beautiful, secluded spots on many of the islands. on Mallorca.

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Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Feature template “UK” LAYER
(SourceReport v1.3)
Date 18th October 2012
Size 125mm x 217mm