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Attractions
The Majorca Tourist Information Service (OIT - Oficines d'Informacio Turistica de Mallorca) has an office in
the town at:
Placa dels Pins s/n
Cala Rajada
07590
Telephone: +34 971 563 033
and this is a useful contact point for the most up to date information about events and activities in the area.
Placa del Pins is also the site of the local market every Saturday morning. The nearby village of Capdepera hold their market every Wednesday morning, however, the same traders often appear at both events, so the choice of goods for sale may be limited.
As we briefly mentioned on the general introduction page, this area of Majorca is the nearest point to the
neighbouring island of Menorca, and on a clear day it is possible to see the former Menorcan capital of
Ciutadella from the port area. Cape Balear run a daily hydrofoil service from Cala Ratjada to Ciutadella,
and it takes just 55 minutes to make the short crossing. Advance bookings are recommended in high season,
and also if you are planning to take a car with you. Contact details are:
Cape Balear sl
Cala Ratjada
07590
Telephone: +34 971 818 668
Fax: +34 971 563 336
The north east corner of Mallorca has very good sporting facilities, with more than 100 tennis courts and
4 championship standard golf courses at Canyamel, Capdepera, Pula-Golf and Son Servera.
An organisation based in Magaluf in the south of the island called "Mallorca Golf Connection", are the
official TUI Thomson golf booking agency for Majorca. If approached they can organise on your behalf
tee-off times, transport to and from the courses and discounted green fees. Contract details for more
information is:
Mallorca Golf Connection
Avenida Solivera 5
Local 17
07182
Magaluf
Calvia
Mallorca
Telephone: +34 971 221 973
Fax: +34 971 221 974
Web site: www.mallorcagolfholidays.com
From the centre of Cala Ratjada there’s a bus service to the "Cuevas d’Arta", or Caves of Arta,
where you can take a guided tour of the caverns. They're open throughout the year, with the exception of
Christmas Day and New Years Day, from 10:00 in the morning.
Admission prices are adults 8€ and children 4€. Contact details are:
Carretera de las Cuevas, s/n.
Capdepera
Mallorca
Telephone: +34 971 841 293
Email:cuevarta@mallorcanet.com
A regular bus service operated by the Aumasa network runs from Cala Ratjada down to the east coast resort of Cala Millor, Cala Bona, and Sa Coma. Further details on the times and routes can be found on their web site. Also a more leisurely mini train runs six times daily between Cala Ratjada and the nearby village of Font de sa Cala.
If you need either Email or internet access whilst in Cala Ratjada there is an internet cafe called
Mario's Muff'in. The facility is open every day and contact details for more information is:
Mario's Muff'in
Avda America 7
07590
Cala Ratjada
Telephone: +34 971 565 922
Email: mariosmuffin7@hotmail.com
On the road towards the village of Arta, you cannot miss the imposing medieval castle at Capdepera. Originally built in the 13th Century on the site of the En Nunis watch tower, which formed part of a Muslim farmstead, it’s one of the largest castle on the island. From the 13th to 18th Century, the castle protected the local community from invasion and frequent pirate attacks. From the 18th Century onwards the villagers began to slowly leave the safety of the city walls, and using the stones from their former houses, began to established the community that we see today. After a further 200 years of neglect and decay the castle was finally placed in municipal hands in 1983, and restoration commenced. Today visitors are able to walk around the top of its well preserved battlements, and look around the Casa del Gobernador and Church of San Juan which are two of the few original buildings that are preserved inside the castle walls. Inside the church there's is a carving of Christ dating from the 14th Century, along with a Gothic statue of the Verge de l'Esperança, the patron saint of Capdepera. The castle is open during the summer months from 10am to 1pm and again from 4pm to 7pm in the evening.
If you carry on past the castle at Capdepera you'll arrive at the quiet medieval town of Arta, where, at the top of the hill, you'll be able to see and visit the Sanctuary of Sant Salvador. The Sanctuary dates back to the 14th Century, and today is the home to an small effigy of the seated Virgin Mary with the baby Jesus in her lap, which is believed to be one of the oldest figures in Majorca that is still used for worship. The walled grounds that surround the Sanctuary, were added during the 16th Century the defend against the frequent attacks from marauding pirates, although much of what you see today is the results of restoration works carried out in during the late 1960’s. A trip to Sant Salvador is certainly not recommended for those with mobility problems, as there are 180 steps leading up to the Sanctuary which begin at the Parish Church of Transfiguració in Arta. The views from the top are well worth the climb and the Sanctuary is widely recognised as being one of the most impressive sights in Majorca.
Overlooking the harbour you’ll find the "Jardins Casa March" or the March House Gardens. This house was once owned by the Mallorcan banker Juan March, who was famous throughout Spain for his collection of sculptures by Rodin and Henry Moore. The gardens are open to the public, but only if you pre-book the visit with the tourist office in the town. Their telephone number for further information is +34 971 563 033
If you are feeling active, it's possible to walk from the resort up the hill to the lighthouse at Punta de Capdepera. Don't forget to take your camera for some great views back over the town.
The Spanish are known for their love of the fiesta, and the municipality of Capdepera is certainly no different. The first fiesta of the year is held on the weekend nearest to May 19, and is centred upon the Castle at Capdepera where a colourful medieval market is held within its walls.
It's almost a 2 month gap then until the next event in the calendar, with the Fiesta of the Mare de Déu del Carme on July 16. This is essentially a religious maritime procession for patron saint of sailors, although it also typically includes athletic events, parades and folk dances.
Although a little way from Cala Ratjada certainly worth a quick mention here is the fiesta at Canyamel which is held a couple of weeks later at the end of July each year. Although being held in the height of summer, this event does somehow tend to get overlooked by the visitors to the island.
The fiesta of Sant Roc which is held in Cala Rajada on August 16, is always a very popular event for children, with many of the parades and activities set to appeal to their generation.
The last fiesta of the summer is then the fiesta of Sant Bartomeu which is held Capdepera the municipal centre of the region on August 24 each year. During the day along with the normal parades and activities, horse races are also held, however, it is in the evening when night falls that the crowds arrive to see the "night of fire". From around 10pm onwards the cafes all remove their outdoor tables from the towns main square, and crowds of tourists and local arrive to watch a spectacular fireworks display. In previous years the crowds have also been entertained by a group called the "Iguana Teatre", who dress as demons, who dance through the crowds waving long sticks of sparkling fire. For young children the event may be a little to scary, but for everyone else it's an opportunity to dance and enjoy themselves.
The final event of the year takes place a week before Christmas with the fiesta of the Mare de Déu de l'Esperança, which is held in Capdepera on December 18. Most if not all visitors to Majorca miss this annual event where along with the parades and folk dances, meat is roasted over bonfires.
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