We spent a week based in an apartment in Pollenca in the north east corner of Mallorca. The town was founded in 1229 with the Catalan conquest of the island, although the name goes back many years before this. Under Moorish rule it was called Al Bulansa
The old town is made up of a series of narrow streets – and the consequent one-way system; it took us quite some time before we found the easiest route to our apartment. The tourist books and websites advise visitors to park on the outskirts of the town and then walk in
One of the town's most distinctive features is the 365-step stairway north of the square; this leads up to a chapel on top of the hill known as Calvary. On Good Friday this is the setting for the most dramatic parade of the year.
First, on the road winding up the back of the hill, there is an enactment of the Stations of the Cross. This is followed by a mock crucifixion on top of the hill after which the figure of Christ is ceremonially removed from the Cross.
The views from the top across towards Porto Pollenca and Alcudia
On our way down to the Roma Bridge, we came across this gnarled tree stump
19th century bridge of Roman design
Saturday was Carnival day - not quite Notting Hill, but nevertheless enjoyable
We briefly visited the Parc Natural de l’Albufera ...
... and Alcudia
The old town is well preserved with houses dating back to the 13th century and is surrounded by a medieval wall
We ventured up to the lighthouse at Formentor Cap - with spectacular views of the coastline
The 13.5 km road which runs from Port de Pollença to Cap de Formentor was built by the Italian engineer Antonio Parietti
The lighthouse was opened in 1863.
We toured some of the east and north east coast of the island, including ...
Cala Mesquida
Cala Rajada
Capdepera
Porto Cristo
Porto Pollenca
Then inland to Sant Joan
and Sineu
We also ventured to the capital city, Palma, for a day out. We had been advised that parking in Palma can be difficult and expensive. So we had a day trip on the public bus service – there are several buses each way throughout the day
Palma was founded as a Roman camp upon the remains of a Talaiotic settlement. The city was subjected to several Vandal sackings during the fall of the Western Roman Empire, then reconquered by the Byzantine Empire, then colonised by the Moors (who called it Medina Mayurqa) and, in the 13th century, by James I of Aragon
In 1229, after three months of siege, the city was reconquered by James I of Aragon and was renamed Palma de Mallorca. In addition to being kept as capital of the Kingdom of Majorca, it was given a municipality that comprised the whole island. The governing organ was the University of the City and Kingdom of Majorca.
At the beginning of the 19th century, Palma became the refuge of many who had exiled themselves from the Napoleonic occupation of Catalonia and Valencia
Palma is famous for La Seu, its vast cathedral originally built on a previous mosque. Although construction began in 1229, it did not finish until 1601 and local architect Antoni Gaudí was drafted in during a restoration project in 1901
The cathedral is next to the Almudaina Palace
The marina
Palma is also famed for the Ferrocarril de Sóller
Ever since 1912 the Sóller railway has been running a daily train service along the 27.3 km route between Palma and Sóller.
From
1913 it has also run the tram service along the 4.9 kilometres from Sóller and Port
Sóller.
For more details of the history of this line see History of Soller line
We did not have time on the day to travel the length of this line - which has recently featured on Michael Portillo's Great Continental Railway Journeys programme on BBC.
However, on another day we drove from Pollenca to Soller to ride on the tram
The tram passes through the Plaça on its way to and from the main station
Port Soller is a small picturesque village on the coast about 5km from Soller.
A great week - even though it was outside the main holiday season, we found plenty to see and do.
For more photos of our time in Mallorca see Mallorca holiday
