Page 82 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Mallorca, Menorca & Ibiza

80  THE BALEARIC ISLANDS AREA B Y AREA M ALL ORC A  81

de S’Albufera, is the sandy of Llucmajor, in which he was
beach of Platja de Muro killed fighting the army of
with its stone-pines growing Pedro of Aragón. Today, the
amid the dunes. About 3 km former palace is occupied
(2 miles) north is Sa Pobla, by an order of nuns that is
which has a lovely 17th-century known as the monges del
Baroque church. The town’s palau (sisters of the palace).
main square, Plaça Constitució, Adjacent to the former royal
hosts a busy Sunday market, residence stands the biggest
selling mainly agricultural parish church on the island,
produce. Santa Margalida, Santa Maria de Sineu. This
situated 5 km (3 miles) Gothic structure was built in
southeast, has a history 1248 and remodelled in the
The marshes of Parc Natural de S’Albufera, crisscrossed with canals reaching back to Roman 16th century. The church has
times. The views of the an important collection of
s Parc Natural de Abat – a big fiesta on the eve mountains and plain are Medieval ceramics that can
S’Albufera of St Antoni’s day. The town’s outstanding from here. be viewed in the adjacent
inhabitants and visitors gather rectory on Wednesdays. In Monumental church in Petra, towering over the neighbourhood
Tel 971 892 250. Open 9am–6pm around bonfires, drinking wine E Museu Etnològic de Muro front of the church, in Plaça
daily (to 5pm Oct–Mar); Reception and eating sausages and Carrer Major 15. Tel 971 860 647. de Sant Marcos, stands a statue g Petra interesting museum, opened in
Centre (Sa Roca): 9am–4pm daily. espinagades – delicious pies Open 10am–3pm Mon–Sat; of a winged lion – the symbol 1955. The exhibition is devoted
made with eels caught in 10am–2pm Sun, also 5–8pm Thu. of St Mark the Apostle, the 50 km (31 miles) east of Palma. to his life and work and includes
* 2,900. @ ( Wed. _ Santa
The wetland south of Port the S’Albufera marshes. Closed Aug. patron saint of the town. Pràxedes (21 Jul), Festa de Bunyols wooden models of the nine
d’Alcúdia, occupying the shores The town is dominated In the neighbouring Sa (30 Oct). ∑ visitpetramallorca.com American missions established
of Lake Grande up to C’an by the church of Sant Joan Plaça square are two by Serra, as well as a range of
Picafort, was once a swamp. Baptista, remodelled around excellent restaurants This small town is the memorabilia. At the end of the
Most of it was drained in the 1530. This large structure, built serving traditional birthplace of Junipero street in which the Serra family
1860s, but a portion remains, in the Catalan-Gothic style, Mallorcan cuisine: the Serra. Aged 54, the house stands, on the outskirts
which in 1985 become the features colourful stained-glass Celler Ca’n Font and Franciscan monk of town, is the 17th-century
Parc Natural de S’Albufera. The windows and a beautiful rose the Celler Es Grop. travelled to America monastery of Sant Bernat,
marshes can be explored on window on the façade. The At one time, the and Mexico, and after which has a statue of Serra
foot, following the marked interior includes Baroque Inca–Artà railway a series of arduous standing in front of it. The
trails. A major conservation furnishings and a vast main line passed through journeys on foot, Majolica panels down a side
project, this is an excellent altarpiece. Adjacent to the the town. Now, the founded missions in street next to the monastery are
place for observing over 200 church is a huge, seven-storey former station build- California. The old a gift from grateful Californians
species of birds, including belfry that once served as a ing, dating from 1879, houses lining the and pay tribute to the famous
grey and purple herons, watchtower. The view from houses a restaurant. Stained-glass window in labyrinth of narrow monk’s many achievements.
summer osprey and Eleonora’s the top can be stunning and Wednesday’s market Santa Maria de Sineu alleys have changed
falcon. The park reception is encompasses all of the is one of the biggest little since Serra’s time Environs
in Sa Roca where you can surrounding area. agricultural fairs in here. The town makes the most Some 7 km (4 miles) west lies
obtain a free map and a list The Convent des Mínims Mallorca and sells local of its famous son and all places the small town of Sant Joan.
of some of the park’s birds. and the church of Santa Ana produce and livestock. associated with Junipero Serra Its 13th-century parish church,
are in Plaça de José Antonio Multistorey altarpiece in Muro’s Sant are well marked. These include remodelled in the 15th and
Primo de Rivera, once the Joan Baptista Environs Casa Natal Fray Junipero Serra, 18th centuries, acquired its
d Muro venue for bullfights. Nearby About 4 km (2 miles) north, a humble building in Carrer present form in the 1930s.
is the Museu Etnològic de near the road to Llubia, are the Barracar Alt, where Serra was If there is time, head for the
13 km (8 miles) east of Inca.
* 7,000. @ ( Sun. _ Muro, which is situated f Sineu ruins of a Talayotic structure. born. Next to this is a small but Santuari de la Mare de Déu de
Revelta de Sant Antoni in an old mansion 30 km (19 miles) northeast of Palma. la Consolació, standing on the
Abat (16–17 Jan). house. Here, you can * 3,600. @ ( Wed. _ Fira Maig outskirts of town. Built during
∑ ajmuro.net see a collection of (24 Apr). Junipero Serra the Reconquest period and
local furniture, folk Junipero Serra was born in Petra in 1713 restored in 1966, it is now a
The agricultural costumes, agri- Sineu is one of the most and played an important role in the history place of pilgrimage.
town of Muro is a cultural tools and a interesting agricultural towns of the Spanish colonization of North Ariany, 4 km (2 miles) to
pleasant, sleepy series of workshops of the central Es Pla plain and America. In 1749, he left on a mission to the north, is a small agricultural
place, situated at including a black- has a rich history. Attracted Mexico, and later travelled to California, town. Famous during the days of
the centre of the Baroque cartouche from the smith’s and a by its strategic position, at where he established nine missions and Jaume I, it became the region’s
plain, surrounded Museu Etnològic de Muro cobbler’s. The the very heart of the island, sought to convert the native Indians to capital in 1982. Its houses are
by cultivated fields. museum also has Jaume II built his palace here. Christianity. Some of Serra’s missions dwarfed by the high tower of
It is full of old mansions built a collection of siurells – whistles. King Sancho came here to prospered after his death and became the Neo-Romanesque church.
by rich landowners, which give benefit from the fresh air, the cities of San Diego, Santa Barbara,
Los Angeles and San Francisco. He died
the town its unique charm. Environs his choice confirming the in 1784 and was beatified in 1988. E Museu y Casa Natal Fray
Each year on January 16 and Some 11 km (7 miles) east importance of the town. Junipero Serra
17, Muro is the scene of the of Muro, on Badia d’Alcúdia, Later, Jaume III slept here Statue of Junipero Serra in Palma C/Barracar Alt 6–8. Tel 971 561 149.
Revelta i Beneides de Sant Antoni adjacent to the Parc Natural the night before the battle Open by appointment only.
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp148–50 and pp155–9

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Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Catalogue template “UK” LAYER
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Date 25th April 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm