Property Article 2: Areas of Mallorca

RURAL REGIONS OF MALLORCA

The most well-know image of Mallorca is its coast lin e. Nevertheless,or centuries life on the Inland. The beaches and cliffs were unproductive places and dangerously exposed to pirate raids. Therefore in ordert to discover the real heartbeat of Island life you have to visit its rural regions- el Raiguer , which stretches along the foot of the Serra de Tramuntana , el Pla in the heart of the Island or el Migjorn , the most southerly area. Life has changed little in these areas which are far away from tourism.

The centre of rural life in Mallorca was the possessió , a cluster of houses in the country which apart from the manor house included those of the workers who took part in the agricultural work or looked after the liverstock. Some of these Possessions reached considerable size as can be seen in Es Calderers de Sant Joan or Sa Granja de Esporles both of which can be visited. These places maintain a way of life which is still followed today.

The historical wealth of the old buildings in Mallorca is very important. In addition to the archeological treasu res of Pollentia and Capocorb Vell , there are medieval castles on the Island that dominate their surroundings from their strategic heights, such as Alaró , Santueri or the Castell de Rei . Village parish churches are always inte res ting. Sometimes they have the look of a cathedral as can be seen in Sineu . And, finally, the hermitages and sanctuaries, all over the Island , are well worth visit.

The nature of ground in Mallorca favours the formation of great caves where, for centuries, water has carved strange fo res ts of stalactites and stalagmites. There are four well-known groups of caves on the Island . Those at Artà , in the Municipality of Capdepera , are enormous and most imp res sive. In Manacor there are the Cuevas dels Hams and the Cuevas del Drac , with is famous underground lake. And in Campanet there are others, smaller in size, but very inte res ting.

THE ISLAND OF MALLORCA

Mallorca is the largest of the Balearic Islands . It covers an area of 3,640 square kilomet res and its scenery is very varied. From the mountains of the Serra de Tramuntana which sweep down to the sea as spectacular cliffs to the plains in the interior or the immense sandy beaches in the south. The res ult of this diversity is an island that offers the attractions of beach and mountain, entertainment and culture . And, in a tipically sunny and mild Mediterranean climate.

Palma , the Mallorcan capital, sums up the international character of an island that has become the leading holiday res ort in the Mediterranean .