A Village Prison
During the Middle Ages, the pueblo of Santanyí was continuously attacked by pirates and corsairs (privateers) mostly coming from North Africa. The reckless marauders were taking citizens hostage to release them […]
Palma’s White Elephant
Last Saturday, Mateo Isern, Palma’s new Conservative batle (mayor) was handed over the reigns to Palma’s Ajuntament (city council) by outgoing Aina Calvo. The first calamity the new alcalde will […]
Local Heroes
Some people leave their mark on the island of Mallorca more visibly than others. Some even turn into some kind of a local hero. Antonio Parietti Coll was one of […]
The Palacio de Ayamans
I don’t think that I can envisage many reasons why one should go to the pueblo of Lloseta unless one wants to buy cement or shoes. Or unless, many moons […]
Pedra de Binissalem
In Mallorca, three different stone categories of substance are traditionally used for the local architecture, Marès (sandstone), Piedra de Santanyí and Piedra de Binissalem. The latter is often called Mallorca’s […]
The Capilla de Son Real
In the old days, Mallorcan Manor houses used to have their own chapel either within their residence or else, within their grounds. Some of these capillas are on public view, […]
The Emir’s Arch
Unfortunately, not many buildings remain of the Moorish period, here on the island of Mallorca, and only scarce remnants can be seen of the former Islamic religious architecture. Apart from the […]
MCMXCIX
The sundial facing the Plaça Nova in Sant Llorenç des Cardassar belongs to the Vicario (vicarage) building. I guess that it was designed sometime around 1895 to 1905. The inscription […]
Gaudí’s Amazing Sounding Board
In about 1903-04, or thereabouts, Antoni Gaudí designed an amazing contraption for the main pulpit of Palma’s Cathedral. At the time, microphones, loudspeakers or electric amplifiers were not invented, yet, […]
Moorish Waterwheels
Water was considered as scarce by Mallorca’s Moorish population (902-1229) and, at the same time, as a divine gift. Evidence of their reverence and of their hydrological skills are the […]
Revisiting Santa Catalina
Last night, I had the dubious privilege of attending a Junta Comunitaria (assembly of the community of owners) in Palma’s Santa Catalina district. No, I do not own any property […]
The Sala de les Cariàtides
The Parlament de les Illes Balears will hold its last session of the current legislature tomorrow, March 28th. After that, the Balearic parliament with be adjourned due to the upcoming […]
The Canaleta del Verger
An excursion from Sóller through Biniaraix into the Barranc de Biniaraix will offer you a plentitude of pleasures. The scenery is probably one of the most impressive on the island. […]
Ad Horologia Solaria
Time is a funny concept, isn’t it? The days of the year are counted by the hour, and there are 24 hours to the day, give or take a few […]
The Casa Consistorial in Palma
A town hall in Mallorca is usually known as Casa Consistorial, the seat of the municipal Ajuntament. In Palma, the Casa Consistorial is known as Cort due to the fact […]
The Old Seminary Church
I must confess to being a bit of a nerd. I do not actually indulge in train spotting or some such frivolity nor do I collect moths and butterflies, nor […]
The Mallorca Photo Blog 