Page 88 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Mallorca, Menorca & Ibiza

86  THE BALEARIC ISLANDS AREA B Y AREA M ALL ORC A  87

v Felanitx m Ses Salines Sprawling across the flatlands,
the town’s central streets are
* 18,000. ( Sun. _ Fiesta San n Gabriel Roca, 971 656 073. lined with old houses. The Neo­
Joan Pelós (24 Jun).
Ses Salines is a modest little town Classical church of Sant Julià
From a distance, the busy little that is sometimes overlooked (1858–73) features a painting,

town of Felanitx looks as though by visitors. It owes its origin, Sant Crist de la Paciència, by the
it is surrounded by a wall with economy and name to the 17th­century Spanish master
many turrets. As you approach, nearby saltworks. The Salines de Bartolomé Esteban Murillo; the
it becomes apparent that these Llevant are large salt lakes and Gothic retable is the work of
are windmills built on the out­ marshes. This area is inhabited by Gabriel Mògera. The church has a
skirts of town. Felanitx is the numerous species of birds such small parish museum. The former
birthplace of the outstanding as the spotted crane, marsh Torre de Can Cos, which once
medieval architect Guillem harrier, kestrel, warbler and guarded the town against pirate
Sagrera (1380–1456) and the Giant cactus in the Botanicactus garden, near Santanyí hoopoe. During the migration attacks, became incorporated
highly original 20th­ century season the marshes are visited into the present town hall in Sa Ràpita beach, a favourite
painter Miquel Barceló. century, the sanctuary is an The adjacent and equally by flocks of plover, avocet, 1649. Markets are held here with windsurfers
This small agricultural town important place of pilgrimage picturesque Cala Santanyí tattler, godwit and osprey. There every Thursday and Saturday.
has a fine 13th-century church. and there is a well­signed bay is situated at the end of a are many paths through the Some 10 km (6 miles) to the sole purpose of catching
Sant Miquel’s magnificent footpath between the castle rocky canyon with steep banks, marshes, making them an north of Ses Salines is Ermita a boat to nearby Cabrera
Renaissance­Baroque façade, and the sanctuary. The view over­ grown with trees. Here, excellent area for walking de Sant Blas, which has a Island (see pp88–9), which,
approached by steep stairs, includes the south­eastern rising from the sea, is the Es and cycling trips, particularly restored 13th­century chapel. according to Pliny, was the
hides a building erected in coast of Mallorca. Pontas rock. Six kilometres for birdwatchers, though the birthplace of the famous
1248. It is also worth visiting (4 miles) east is the Botanicactus, mosquitoes can be bothersome. Carthaginian leader, Hannibal.
Felanitx to taste the locally a garden which has nearly 400 The pleasure boats to Cabrera
produced sobrasada de porc b Santanyí species of cacti. Environs Island sail daily from May until
negre – spicy pork sausage – * 13,000. Cap de Ses Salines is 3 km mid­October.
and to buy some of the (2 miles) south of Ses Salines. This The town’s other main
ceramics made here. This old town is full of stone is the southernmost promontory attraction is the nearby salt
houses built from the local of Mallorca. The view from the lake, Salines de S’Avall, from
Environs honey­coloured sandstone. lighthouse is magnificent and which huge quantities of salt
About 5 km (3 miles) south­ The same sandstone was used encompasses the entire south are still extracted – the main
east, on top of the 400­m ­ in the building of the cathedral coast of the island. source of the town’s wealth.
(1,312­ft ­) high hill, are the in Palma and Castell Bellver. Banys de Sant Joan de sa
ruins of Castell de Santueri, an One of the old town gates, Font Santa lies 4 km (2 miles) Environs
Arab castle remodelled in the Sa Porta, in Plaça Port is a northeast of Ses Salines. The One of Mallorca’s most
14th century by the kings of reminder of medieval times local hot springs, with water Lighthouse at the Cap de Ses beautiful beaches is located
Aragón. The view from the ruins when the town was an temperatures rising as high as Salines headland 7 km (4 miles) to the north,
is a magnificent panorama important fortress defending 38°C (100°F), have been known in Es Trenc. This small but
of the surrounding area. The southeastern Mallorca, and since the 15th century, when , Colònia de Sant constantly developing resort
Santuari de Sant Salvator stands surrounded by several walls. they were used to treat a variety is very popular with visitors
4 km (2 miles) east of Felanitx, Towering over the town is the Rocky coastline in the Parc of conditions, including leprosy. Jordi to the southern coast of
on top of Puig de Sant Salvador, vast church of Sant Andreu. Natural Mondragó The local chapel dates from this 52 km (32 miles) east of Palma. n Mallorca. The 4­km (2­mile)
the highest mountain of the The interior of this 18th­century period. The present bathhouse Gabriel Roca, Ses Salines, 971 656 073. stretch of beach can easily
Serres de Llevant. Founded in church features a huge Rococo n Parc Natural was built in 1845. Today, the accommo date the large
the 14th century, organ brought here from a Mondragó waters are still believed to be The town of Colònia de Sant numbers of holidaymakers,
and remodelled Dominican monastery in Palma. beneficial and are used to treat Jordi lies on the southern end and is not generally too busy.
in the 18th 8 km (5 miles) east of Santanyí. Tel 971 rheumatism and a variety of of the island. It has a handful of Sa Ràpita is a small place
Environs 181 022. 8 by reservation (971 642 respiratory ailments. modest hotels, a few rest­ near S’Estanyol de Migjorn.
North of town, on top of 067). ∑ balearsnatura.com Campos, probably founded aurants, a pretty beach and The local beach provides good
the Puig Gros hill stands by the Romans, is situated an interesting harbour. Many conditions for windsurfing. In
a 16th­century chapel This relatively small, unspoiled 12 km (7 miles) from Ses Salines. people come here with the summer, the marina is also a
with a beautiful picture area has wonderful footpaths popular place. The only historic
of the Madonna. The and pretty country lanes and is remains are of the defence
Santuari de Consolació an ideal destination for walking tower, which once guarded
is accessed via stone trips. The routes are marked the coast against pirates.
steps, which have been and are generally easy­going. Equally beautiful beaches
climbed for centuries The coastline itself is rugged, can be found to the south of
by footsore and weary but it is still possible to find Colònia de Sant Jordi. When
pilgrims. Some 5 km small, sandy coves, the best they get too busy, try Platja
(3 miles) east of Santanyí of which are Mondragó, des ses Roquetes.
is Cala Figuera, with S’Amarador and Caló des Burgit.
an unspoiled fishing In the pine forest, which covers g Excursions to Cabrera
harbour set in a bay some of the park, there are C/Explanada del Port. Tel 971 649 034.
Huge façade of Felanitx’s main church that resembles a fjord. small ponds and dunes. Beach and harbour in Sa Ràpita, near Colònia de Sant Jordi ∑ excursionsacabrera.es
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