The municipality of Pollença is located at the northern end of Mallorca, within the mountain range of the Serra de Tramuntana, which is the island´s most extensive and valuable natural space. It is without doubt one of the most emblematic places in Mallorca, both due to its spectacular landscapes where the land and sea meet, and its traditions, which are the result of its intense history.
The village of Pollença was founded in 1229, when King Jaume I brought Mallorca into the Christian world and introduced Catalan culture. The square of Plaça Major, which is surrounded by bars which fill up during the months of summer, is the centre of the village. This is also the location of the Parish Church, which was built in the 18th century on the site of on older building from the 13th century. The architectural style of the current building fluctuates between Baroque and Classicism, with a basilical layout, a gently-pointed vaulted roof and lateral chapels. Inside the building are Baroque altarpieces and mural paintings. To the left of the church is the square of Plaça Vella, which, together with the surrounding streets, forms the early part of the town, which has a noticeably medieval character. At the small square of Plaça de l´Almoina is the water fountain of the Font del Gall, which was built in the 19th century and which has become one of the symbolic reference points of Pollença. At the end of the street of Carrer Costa i Llobera is the Oratory of Sant Jordi – an old 16th-century church with a basilical layout, cross-vault roof and a single chapel. On the street of Carrer de Jesús is the building of Monti-sion, which is an old Jesuit monastery constructed in the 18th century that was inhabited by this religious order until its expulsion from Spain. In the 19th century Pollença Council converted it into the Consistorial House and reopened the church, which has a basilical layout, a barrel-vault ceiling and lateral chapels, with an interior decoration in the French Baroque style. Of all the architecture here, the cloister of the old monastery is of particular note.
From the street of Carrer de Jesús it is possible to climb a long stairway of 365 steps to the peak of the hill where the small chapel of Calvari is situated. The chapel was constructed at the end of the 18th century and is in the neo-Gothic style owing to reforms that masked its previous Baroque style, which was typical during the time in which it was built. Inside there is a unique work of sculpture from 1448, showing Christ and the Mother of God at his feet with fragments of prayers in Latin and Catalan.
At the edge of Pollença´s historic heart, next to the Gardens of Joan March, is the Convent of Sant Domingo. It is situated on the street which bears the convent´s name and comprises a church and a cloister; the cloister has become one of the most representative centres for cultural activities in Pollença, including the International Plastic Arts Competition and the International Music Festival. It is also the home of the Pollença Municipal Museum, which has collections of contemporary painting and Gothic altarpieces, as well as various pieces related to the history of Pollença.
As you enter Pollença there is a small sanctuary known as Roser Vell, the origins of which are uncertain but which dates from the 14th century. Another of Pollença´s characteristic monuments is the Pont Romà (Roman Bridge), on the street of Carrer del Pont on the outskirts of the village; despite the bridge´s name, its origins remain unknown, though it is known to be very old.
Weekly market: Every Sunday morning.