10 Things You Didn’t Know!

A collection of interesting facts about the North of Mallorca from Palm Radio.

1. The name Mallorca comes form the Latin insula maior. As the largest island in Spain the Romans simply used the latin phrase for larger island which in turn has become Mallorca over the centuries.

2. You may know of the city of Pollentia, the remains of which can be found next to the walled town of Alcudia but did you know that there’s another Roman town to be found in the area? Bocchoris was situated on a hill to the right of the road from Puerto Pollenca to Pollenca and traces of the ancient city still remain.

3. Cala San Vicente is home to an important collection of caves where the people of the pre-talayotic period would bury their dead

4. Originally Puerto Pollensa was a series of smaller beaches, the long, wide beach which can be found today was artificially extended by dredging sand from the bay.

5. Agatha Christie found the setting for her book Problem at Pollensa Bay after passing through the Port on her way to Formentor in 1932. She had originally intended to stay in Palma but found it too overrun with English and American tourists for her to find a room.

6. The bay of Alcudia is home to Mallorca’s longest beach at 7km long

7. If you’ve looked out from Pollensa bay and wondered what the impressive looking building in on the headland you’re looking at La Fortaleza, one of Spain’s most expensive properties. Built in 1628 to defend the Pollensa peninsula these days the site is a private residence, and you might recongnise it as the setting for a TV yoghurt commercial featuring Amanda Holden!

8. The walls which surround the town of Alcudia are not the original fortifications. Although originally medieval the walls were rebuilt in the 1600s, in the 1870s much demolition took place and it wasn’t until the 20th century that they were restored.

9. King Jaime I changed the name of Alcudia to San Jaime du Guinent but original name remained in use so he changed it back to Alcudia!

10. You may have passed the bronze bust of Miquel Capllonch Rotger on a walk along the Pine Walk in Puerto Pollensa, but who was he? Miquel was a pianist and composer from Mallorca who taught music and gave concerts to European royal families. The main square in Puerto Pollensa is named after him.