Virtual trip round Fornalutx

Situated in the heart of the Serra de Tramuntana, in a spectacular valley that starts from the Puig Major and descends towards Soller, Fornalutx can be found, considered to be one of the most singular villages on Mallorca. Because of its extraordinary beauty and enviable state of conservation, Fornalutx has received different prizes and recognition. In 1983 it was awarded by the the Mallorcan Tourism Board the Silver Plaque for the defence and maintenance of the village. The same year the General Secretary for Tourism gave it the Second National Price for Towns embellished and maintained in Spain. And in 1985 it received the Premi Alzina from the GOB.

The history of Fornalutx starts over 1000 years ago, when it was an Arab property. The population of the area started after the Catalan conquest and the present church was finished in 1639. Until 1813 it depended on the Parish of Soller and in 1837 it became an independent municipality.

The charms of Fornalutx are uncountable. The stone streets and steps of the old centre, carefully adorned with many pots and plants; the ancient stone houses and the doorways wide open; the lush vegetation on the mountain terraces and the orchards where the famous oranges are grown... The architectural group and the scenery are so interesting, that it is even difficult to appreciate it completely. It is important to take note of the eves of the houses to see the painted tiles, of "Arab tiles", an ancient tradition that is explained on this page.

Very close to Fornalutx is Biniaraix, a small village of the Soller valley, that also preserves its ancient charm, famous for its ravine, where one of the most emblematic excursions on the island can be carried out. Worth mentioning also is the excursion to the architectural group of the property Binibassí, the s'Alzina Fumadora path to the Comuna and many other routes that can be covered on foot or by bicycle.

To cope with the numerous visits that Fornalutx receives regularly, the village has a varied and select offer for tourist accommodation and restaurants. With web pages, we have found the restaurant Per Amunt, the apartments Sa Tanqueta, the interior hotels Ca'n Verdera, Fornalutx Petit Hotel and Ca'n Reus, plus the Hotel Ca'n Verdera of the Reis de Mallorca chain.

As for festivities, Fornalutx celebrates the patron saint fiesta on September 8. One of the particular elements of this fiesta is the group of events organised round the ox, an old tradition that was held in former times there and that the village has recovered.

More information:

- Photographic report by MallorcaWeb (27 photos)

Photo © BalearWeb

Date of publication: 22/10/2003

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