Megalomania
Cemeteries are rather peculiar places. They are not only sites of reverence for the deceased, perhaps a family member, but, they also are a testament of times gone by and, […]
Robert Graves And The Mediterranean
The 10th International Robert Graves Conference kicked off yesterday in Palma de Mallorca and will continue until Saturday, July 10th. These conferences are biannual events which are staged alternately in […]
No Future For Betlem?
Two-hundred years after its foundation, the Hermitage of Betlem to the north of Artà finds itself at a crossroad. Only three friars of the order of Sant Pau i Sant […]
Sant Joan Pelós
The Festes de Sant Joan are a big date in the festive calendar of Balearic events. None, of course, are as big as the equestrian events in neighbouring island, Menorca. […]
Corpus Christi
Yesterday, Mallorca celebrated the Feast of Corpus Christi. This is a moveable feast which traditionally was celebrated on the Thursday after Santíssima Trinitat (Trinity Sunday). For some reason, this festivity […]
The Monasterio de la Real
One of the nicest courtyards anywhere in Mallorca has to be the patio of the Monasterio de Sant Bernat de la Real (Monastir de La Real). The problem is that […]
Cofradías In Felanitx
Cofradías (Castellano, or Catalan: Confrarias) are confraternities, fraternities or brotherhoods. In Felanitx, there are nine such associations with hundreds of members between them, including females and minors. Last night, the […]
The Procesión Del Silencio
The first of the Easter processions in Felanitx was held last night, the Processó del Silenci (Procesión del Silencio, Silent Procession). In Spain, tradition has it that one of the […]
Vía Crucis For Peace
I went to participate in the Vía Crucis pilgrimage in Felanitx yesterday, up to the Puig d’es Calvari. Vía Crucis is the Latin name for the Way of the Cross […]
The Easter Week
In Mallorca, the last Sunday before Easter is called El Dia del Ram (Palm Sunday). Olive branches are blessed and given to the churchgoers, or anyone coming along for the […]
The Oratorio Del Puig Des Call
One of the nicest places you will find on the island of Mallorca has to be the Puig d’es Calvari in Felanitx. The Oratorio del Puig des Call was built […]
Made in 1865
Just before you enter the Esglèsia de l’Anunciació in Palma, also known as the Esglèsia de Sant Crist de la Sang, you pass the Hospital General as well as a […]
Grand Entrance
The main entrance to Palma’s La Seu (the Cathedral) is an impressively ornamented grand entrance called Portal Major. The splendid work dates mainly from 1594 and was completed in 1601. […]
For Whom the Bell Tolls
I love church bells and their sound. I’m not quite sure but I would guess that there might be some 1,000 bells in Mallorcan chapels and churches, not forgetting the […]
Gravediggers
You might remember that I told you about my female postman before, the one I am on kissing terms with. Imagine my surprise when yesterday she let on that she […]
The Visit
When I stepped out of my front door the other day, Paquita, my neighbour came out of her house at the same moment. She carried a strange wooden object which […]
