Page 87 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Mallorca, Menorca & Ibiza

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
sweets called sospiros (sighs). Music room in the stately home of Els Calderers
Places worth visiting in
Manacor include the church the 12th or 13th century. The Environs
of Nostra Senyora dels Dolors second, carved in stone, was About 2 km (1 mile) northeast,
in Plaça del Rector Rubi, built in made in the 15th century, on top of Puig de Bonany
the late 19th century on the probably in France. (317 m/1,040 ft), is the Ermita
site of a former mosque. Its de Bonany sanctuary. The
lofty clock tower, resembling a Perlas Majorica monastery’s stone cross was
minaret, is a town landmark. The Argenters (at the entrance of Manacor erected for Junipero Serra,
most notable features of the from Palma). Tel 971 550 900. Open who left from here in 1749 on
church’s interior are the vast 9:30am–6pm daily (Nov–Feb: to 5pm, a mission to California (see p81).
wooden door and a figure of the Jun & Sep: to 7:30pm, Jul–Aug: to The sanctuary is 17th century
crucified Christ, dressed in white 8:30pm). Closed Sun, Dec & Jan. 8 and was built as an act of thanks-
robes, with long flowing hair. giving for a good harvest – bon
Numerous shops in town any or “good year”. The modern
sell simulated pearls, which church dates from 1925 and is
have been produced here entered via an imposing gate,
since 1890. In order to see decorated on top with ceramic
them being made visit Perlas tiles featuring portraits of St
Majorica, a shop offering free Paul and St Anthony. From
demonstrations. Here, glass the church forecourt you can
beads are covered with con- see a splendid panorama of
secutive layers of a compound the central plain, Es Pla.
made of fish scale mixed with One kilometre (half a mile)
resin, dried, polished to a high northwest of Vilafranca de
shine and set in silver or gold. Bonany is Els Calderers – a
landed estate established in
Environs the 17th century by the Veri
Sant Llorenç des Cardassar is Colourful fruit and vegetable stall in family. The stately home is
9 km (6 miles) to the northeast. Vilafranca de Bonany surrounded by fields and farm
The local church has two figures buildings. Today, parts of the
of the Madonna. The first is a c Vilafranca de estate are open to the public;
wooden statue dating from Bonany these include the private
chapel, the granary and the
* 3,000. @ ( Wed. _ Festa de large kitchen. The rooms
Meló (Sep). contain original furniture and
are decorated with paintings,
The agricultural town of Vilafranca family photographs and objets
de Bonany lies on the road to d’art, all of which maintain
Manacor. It is known for its the atmosphere of the former
colourful market stalls set along residence. The fire burning
the highway. These sell peppers, in the fireplace and the
sun-dried tomatoes and garlic, open piano give visitors the
as well as fruit and vegetables impression that the owners
grown in the local gardens. Also have only just stepped out.
on offer are tiny doughnuts
called bunyelos. The only historic E Els Calderers
Opulent interior of the Gothic church building in town is the Santa Tel 971 526 069. Open 10am–5:30pm
in Manacor Barbara church (1731–8). daily. & ∑ elscalderers.com

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