Llucmajor: from talayots to Catalan modernism
The great thing about Llucmajor is that it is so central, even though it’s in the southern part of Majorca. From here, you can get to the sea or to the island’s capital of Palma very quickly and to the airport in no time at all, not least because it’s linked to the Ma-19 motorway. In short, if you want to live in Majorca and you’re looking for a property, this town is a great starting point from which to explore the whole island – because you can also reach the east of the island in two shakes of a lamb’s tail.
Real Estate Mallorca – Llucmajor
3,500 years of history
Majorca’s original inhabitants certainly appreciated this region. If you’re interested in history, today you can still marvel at what they created here around 3,500 years ago – the archaeological site of the Capocorb Vell settlement. The structures created with great stone blocks include the remains of five talayots, and they are truly impressive. Historians assume that these massive, thick-walled talayots served as defence towers and watchtowers, and this site is considered to be one of the largest and best preserved on the island.
Catalan modernism in Llucmajor
The centre of the town of Llucmajor is not lacking in exceptional architecture either, as it boasts some buildings in the style of Catalan modernism. Housed in one of them is the charming Café Colón in Plaça Espanya with its splendid, decorated pillars inside. The place is an institution. You can find everything you need for daily life in the colourful mixture of shops in Llucmajor, and these also include specialist businesses such as the wine shop Sa Vinya, which is on Ronda de Migjorn. Proprietor Dagmar Henner-Wiegard has almost 1,000 different wines to offer her customers and many of them, naturally, are good wines from the island itself. On three days of the week, the streets of Llucmajor are full of market bustle – Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. There’s a kind of flea market held every Friday on the Passeig de Jaume III and it’s a great place for bric-a-brac, trinkets, handicrafts and possible bargains.
Garden of Eden full of fig trees
At 325 square kilometres, the municipality of Llucmajor is the largest in Majorca and much of the area is agricultural land, which includes almond tree plantations. There is also a remarkable “finca” of fig trees. If you’re crazy about this sweet little fruit, close to Llucmajor you’ll discover a real paradise called Finca Son Mut Nou. The initiative was started by the Majorcan pharmacist Montserrat Pons. Thriving in his “experimental field of figs” – probably the largest in the world – there are by now about 3,000 fig trees of almost 1,300 different varieties that come from all corners of the earth. If that’s not a passion, nothing is! You can go and see this Garden of Eden full of fig trees by prior appointment. If it’s late summer, you can even have a little nibble. Besides, there’s a whole range of specialities available on the premises –including fig jam and fig bread as well as exotic products such as fig beer, fig wine and fig sparkling wine.
Sport and activities
From Llucmajor, you can be at idyllic beaches such as Es Trenc in a jiffy. The lively S’Arenal beach in Playa de Palma is also part of this municipality, as well as other swimming spots such as Cala Pi and Cala Blava. At the boat clubs in S’Arenal and S’Estanyol, you can learn sailing, windsurfing and kayaking. The landscape around Llucmajor is captivating, with rolling hills and small, quiet roads. This makes it really popular with cyclists and hikers and you can find selected bike and hiking routes on the town hall website (visitllucmajor.com). Golfers will be glad to know that the two 18-hole golf courses Son Antem East and West cater for both beginners and experienced players.
Trip to a sacred place
Llucmajor has a magical place just five kilometres away. The holy Mount Randa – the only flat-topped elevation in Majorca – has no less than three small monastic places of interest that are absolutely enchanting. The Nostra Senyora de Gràcia sanctuary, the Ermita Sant Honorat and the Santuari de Cura could be said to cling to the 542-metre mount. This is a world unto itself! This mount once even captivated the great Majorcan philosopher and theologian Ramon Llull (1232–1316), as he lived here for a time. You can actually stay overnight at the Santuari de Cura since accommodation is available to the public and the inn in the monastic building offers simple culinary delights. The homemade almond cake tastes particularly divine when you’re up here closer to the heavens. Not to mention the fantastic views!