Page 86 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Mallorca, Menorca & Ibiza

84  THE BALEARIC ISLANDS AREA B Y AREA M ALL ORC A  85

x Manacor
* 50,000. @ n Pl Ramon Llull s/n,
971 847 241. ∑ visitmanacor.com
Manacor is Mallorca’s second-
largest town and boasts a
centuries-long tradition of
handicraft. It produces furn-
iture and ceramics, including
the famous Mallorcan black
porcelain, but it is most famous
for its simulated pearls. The
town is also known for the local
speciality – sobrasada de cerdo
negro – spicy sausage, and
Sandy beach of Cala Millor, one of Mallorca’s most popular spots sweets called sospiros (sighs). Music room in the stately home of Els Calderers
Places worth visiting in
l Cala Millor z Porto Cristo Porto Cristo is one of the Manacor include the church the 12th or 13th century. The Environs
few places on the eastern of Nostra Senyora dels Dolors second, carved in stone, was About 2 km (1 mile) northeast,
@ n Passeig Maritim, 971 585 864. @ n Pl de l’Aljub s/n, 971 849 126.
∑ visitmanacor.com coast of Mallorca where you in Plaça del Rector Rubi, built in made in the 15th century, on top of Puig de Bonany
Cala Millor is one of the most can find last-minute hotel the late 19th century on the probably in France. (317 m/1,040 ft), is the Ermita
popular resorts on the east The ancient fishing port of accommodation during site of a former mosque. Its de Bonany sanctuary. The
coast of Mallorca. The first Porto Cristo is situated at the the high season. Among its lofty clock tower, resembling a Perlas Majorica monastery’s stone cross was
hotels began to appear here end of a long bay, where attractions is the sandy beach. minaret, is a town landmark. The Argenters (at the entrance of Manacor erected for Junipero Serra,
as early as the 1930s, but the the El Rivet flows into the sea. most notable features of the from Palma). Tel 971 550 900. Open who left from here in 1749 on
real tourist invasion did not Today it is a pleasant family Environs church’s interior are the vast 9:30am–6pm daily (Nov–Feb: to 5pm, a mission to California (see p81).
start until the 1980s. Similar resort, but as early as the 13th Some 2 km (1 mile) south of wooden door and a figure of the Jun & Sep: to 7:30pm, Jul–Aug: to The sanctuary is 17th century
to neighbouring Cala Bona century this was a seaport for Porto Cristo are the Coves crucified Christ, dressed in white 8:30pm). Closed Sun, Dec & Jan. 8 and was built as an act of thanks-
and Sa Coma, Cala Millor has the inland town of Manacor. del Drac. The “Dragon’s robes, with long flowing hair. giving for a good harvest – bon
many beautiful beaches; the As the best sheltered harbour Caves” are considered one Numerous shops in town any or “good year”. The modern
main one is 1.8 km (1 mile) on the eastern coast of Mallorca of Mallorca’s natural treasures. sell simulated pearls, which church dates from 1925 and is
long and is quite magnificent. it was also an important naval Although they have been have been produced here entered via an imposing gate,
As you would expect, the base, and the lighthouse dates known for centuries, they since 1890. In order to see decorated on top with ceramic
resort has plenty of bars, back to 1851. During the Spanish remained unexplored until them being made visit Perlas tiles featuring portraits of St
restaurants and clubs. Civil War, Republicans landed 1896. The caves feature an Majorica, a shop offering free Paul and St Anthony. From
here with the intention of attractive array of dripstones, demonstrations. Here, glass the church forecourt you can
Environs taking over the island from as well as the island’s largest beads are covered with con- see a splendid panorama of
Some 4 km (2 miles) northwest General Franco’s forces. Despite underground lake, 177 m secutive layers of a compound the central plain, Es Pla.
of Cala Millor is Son Servera. initial successes, the attack (580 ft) long, 40 m (131 ft) made of fish scale mixed with One kilometre (half a mile)
Not the prettiest of Mallorcan was repelled. wide and more than 30 m resin, dried, polished to a high northwest of Vilafranca de
agricultural towns, its prime Accessible from the esplanade (98 ft) deep. A ride by boat shine and set in silver or gold. Bonany is Els Calderers – a
feature is the church, which that takes you along the bay are under the stalactite vault is landed estate established in
was begun in 1905 by Joan the spectacular White Caves, an unforgettable experience. Environs the 17th century by the Veri
Rubió, a disciple of Antoni which were inhabited by Visits feature a 10-minute Sant Llorenç des Cardassar is Colourful fruit and vegetable stall in family. The stately home is
Gaudí, and which remains fishermen until the end concert by a string quartet. 9 km (6 miles) to the northeast. Vilafranca de Bonany surrounded by fields and farm
unfinished to this day. of the 19th century. The Coves d’es Hams, 2 km The local church has two figures buildings. Today, parts of the
(1 mile) to the east, derive of the Madonna. The first is a c Vilafranca de estate are open to the public;
their name from the hook- wooden statue dating from Bonany these include the private
shaped stalactites (hams) chapel, the granary and the
found here. Boatloads of * 3,000. @ ( Wed. _ Festa de large kitchen. The rooms
floating musicians on the Meló (Sep). contain original furniture and
underground lake produce are decorated with paintings,
an unusual musical ambience. The agricultural town of Vilafranca family photographs and objets
de Bonany lies on the road to d’art, all of which maintain
} Coves del Drac Manacor. It is known for its the atmosphere of the former
Tel 971 820 753. Open Apr–Oct: colourful market stalls set along residence. The fire burning
10am–5pm daily; Nov–Mar: the highway. These sell peppers, in the fireplace and the
10:45am–noon & 2–3:30pm daily. & sun-dried tomatoes and garlic, open piano give visitors the
∑ cuevasdeldrach.com as well as fruit and vegetables impression that the owners
} Coves dels Hams grown in the local gardens. Also have only just stepped out.
Tel 971 820 988. Open daily. Apr–Jun on offer are tiny doughnuts
& 1–15 Nov: 10am–4:30pm, Jul–Oct: called bunyelos. The only historic E Els Calderers
to 5pm, 16 Nov–Mar: to 4pm. 8 Opulent interior of the Gothic church building in town is the Santa Tel 971 526 069. Open 10am–5:30pm
Yachting harbour at the end of Porto Cristo bay & ∑ cuevas-hams.com in Manacor Barbara church (1731–8). daily. & ∑ elscalderers.com
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
(Source v2.4)
Date 25th April 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm