La Granja estate. Royal Palace of La Granja de San Ildefonso

The last push)))
We decided to end our stay in Mallorca with a visit to the village of Valldemossa. The description of this excursion loudly states that “this is the most romantic place on the island with a unique atmosphere and charm of ancient houses and narrow streets.” Well, we're on our honeymoon))))
Actually everything settlements Mallorca is considered a city, but it’s hard to call Valldemossa a city. No, there is no dirt and dilapidated huts there, like in our villages, it’s just that it’s actually so small, but neat and well-groomed, with a measured rhythm, even on tourist streets with shops and cafes. Although, looking ahead, I will say that in my opinion there were too many people on the tourist streets.

This village is famous for the fact that it contains the palace of one of the conquering kings, which he donated to the Cortesian monastic order, a very severe one. Upon entering, the monks renounced all benefits, took vows of celibacy and silence, and adhered to a very strict diet. They turned part of the palace into a monastery. Later, the famous composer Chopin and the writer George Sand lived in this monastery. It was there that she wrote her book Winter in Mallorca, and Chopin created many of his compositions. Adriana very interestingly and in detail told us about the way of life of the monks in this monastery, until their order was expelled from Mallorca, after which the monastery was nationalized by the state and put up under the hammer. But there was not a rich enough buyer and the monastery was bought by 9 people. Some still live there, many cells can be rented and lived in them, which is what all sorts of creative people, artists and musicians do. They say that in these places the muse visits much more often. In this monastery there are 2 three-room cells, the owners of which are engaged in long legal battles among themselves. Each of the families claims that it was in their cells that Chopin and Georges Sand lived. The cells themselves have been turned into museums where authentic items belonging to these famous people are exhibited.
Bust of Chopin at the entrance to the monastery. If you rub your nose, your musical talent will be revealed within a year. Vova rubbed. We are waiting...

Inner courtyard in the monastery and views from the terraces of the cells:












Monk's cell:


The altar looks like:

After a walk around the monastery and palace, a musician living in the same monastery gave us a small concert and played several compositions by Chopin.
Then we walked around the streets for about an hour and a half. If you step away from the “tourist path”, with its souvenir shops, coffee shops and pastry shops, you can wander along the really quiet, well-kept streets, with flower pots on the sidewalks and houses covered with flowers. It’s really romantic, even during the day, how pleasant it can be there at sunset, I don’t even want to think, my heart begins to ache)))

















A wonderful white door, no matter where it leads, in my opinion it is beautiful:

We wandered around the shops, bought a couple of cakes and ate them on a bench under a plane tree slowly shedding its leaves.

It's a shame the photo can't convey the smell. Everything is simply fragrant, the flowers emit intoxicating aromas...
Unlike sightseeing tour, where there was always a lack of time, here everything turned out leisurely and measuredly.
Next we went to the noble estate of La Granja. This 13th century manor house is in a very secluded location and was previously quite difficult to get to. Plus there is a spring source of strategic importance. Its jet rises like a fountain up to 10 meters. The estate is a vivid example of subsistence farming; they produced all the necessary things and products themselves. Here she is:


We walked the route through a barnyard with horses, goats, various birds and other living creatures, a forge, a mill, a pottery workshop, weaving workshops, as well as a warping, jewelry, foundry, shoe workshop, the huge manor house itself, and walked barefoot on the slightly damp grass in a well-kept park. We tasted the wine that they make there, as well as cheese, Majorcan sausage sobrassada, and jam from melons, oranges, apricots and figs. We sat in comfortable sun loungers at the entrance and that was the end of our tour.
Waterfall, one of the levels:


Birds drink water flowing down a rock:


Dove from the dovecote:


An unknown plant. Who knows, tell me what...


Fountain with pond in the backyard...


Another one of my architectural charms)))


Mill wheel:

Let's taste it)))


Garden:








Wrong Christmas trees in the garden. I don't remember what they are called(((

Relax))))

In the evening we still had time to swim in the sea, swam for quite a long time watching the fish, Vova even chased one for some time until it swam behind the buoys. The sea seemed warmer to us than it was before, either it was saying goodbye to us, or it actually seemed...
If you are faced with the choice of going or not going to Mallorca, don’t hesitate and pack your bags. In principle, there is always a season there, in the summer people swim and sunbathe, in the winter they ride bicycles, walk in the mountains, and at sea there are many regattas of various levels, the Spanish royal family also participates in many of them, and some regattas are required for ratings, or whatever it is called...
The temperature in winter, according to guide Denis, is plus 16 degrees. He said that last winter it was plus 1 for a day and a half and they thought that they would not survive these days. They do not have central heating in their houses. Denis also told how interesting it was to watch the Indians in the cold, who put on everything they could, tied sheets on their heads so as not to freeze, and walked around in flip-flops, not understanding why they were still freezing.
If you don’t have problems with the language or you know the history of the island well (however, you can do without it, just knowing the history is more interesting in my opinion), you can rent a car or a bicycle and drive around the island along your own route. However, if you think that you can learn the history from the same Wikipedia, keep in mind that there are a lot of official histories in Mallorca, and not all of them are translated into Russian from Catalan. The people are very friendly, and even without knowing the language, they will always explain and show you where and how to go with their fingers, gestures))) And keep in mind that you may have to ride bikes in the mountains, which are quite steep, so assess your capabilities adequately.
You can also go to Ibiza, both during the day and on a night excursion with a visit to discos, and to Menorca - this is the island next door, it belongs to the same Balearic Islands. Adriana said that it was also very beautiful nature. You can fly to Barcelona, ​​it's about 20 minutes by plane. Speaking of airplanes. I said that the airport in Mallorca is the busiest in Europe. And it's just huge.
If you want to plunge into serenity, you should go to Mallorca))) It’s probably better at the end of the season, when there are not so many people. Guide Stanislav, who worked in Egypt for 2 years, said that the Spaniards are very lazy compared to the Arabs. To our proverb-question: “A hedgehog is a proud bird, until you kick it, it won’t fly?” he laughed and said that even if you kick them, they won’t fly right away)))) This is the way of life...
The atmosphere is very relaxing, light, so calm that you want to dance to almost any tune; all problems remain on the mainland.

La Granja is located 15 km from Palma and is a beautiful tenth-century mansion surrounded by lush vegetation, beautiful gardens and natural fountains.

This is a possessió (manor house) known since Roman times. In 1239, Count Nuño Sanz donated the property to the Cistercian monks, and from 1447 it became a private home. At one time, up to 100 people worked on this estate, who were engaged in agriculture, handicrafts, etc. Visitors come today mainly to see the rural traditions of Mallorca, demonstrations of lace, embroidery and spinning, and tastings of cheeses, wine, sausages, donuts and rice cake.

The easiest way to get to La Granja is by car or bus.
Craft shows and music and dance performances take place on Wednesdays and Fridays from 3:30-5:00 pm.
The La Granja restaurant serves lunch all day, also sopes mallorquines (Mallorquin soups), and has a snack/dining area. You can also have a picnic on the various equipped terraces.

Folk music and dance
Fashioned from wood and hides, Mallorcan instruments include the xeremia (bagpipe), fabiol (flute), Taborino and guitar. Typical well-known dances are “Bolero” (18th century), La Jota (from eastern Mallorca), Fandango, and Copeo Mateixa. Many improvised dances are accompanied only by percussion instruments; A more organized ensemble will perform at official events.

GASTRONOMY
One of the strengths of a visit to La Granja is the chance to try typical Mallorcan preparations – buñuelos, a mixture of potato flour and pastries with various jams, rice bread, sobrasada, cheese, Palo (liqueur) and hierbas (liqueur).
Rice bread has been popular in Mallorca for many years and is a staple for rural families to get through the winters in Mallorca.
All this is offered to you to try and is sold in the store.

Top 10 La Granja
1 Garden
2 Owners' apartments
3 Dining room
4 Loggia
5 Workshops
6 Cellars
7 Torture room
8 Chapel
9 front yard
10 performances

House and surrounding area

Gardens

The area under cultivation is very rich, including terraced stone gardens, botanical gardens, a pond with a jet fountain and a magnificent 1000-year-old yew tree. You can still see some of the canals that were used for irrigation.

Owners' apartments

These numbers have preserved typographical evidence of the noble life of the former residents of the house. Of particular note are the curtains in the main hall made of roba de llenguës; old medical instruments, as well as antique toys in the playroom.

Dining room

The main attraction here is the cleverly constructed table that doubles as a pool table.
By turning the handle, the height can be adjusted for both purposes. Crockery and glassware, from different eras, are original, as are the tiles in the house.

Loggia

Beautiful architectural landmark home. On hot summer days, a light breeze makes this place an ideal refuge from the heat and at other times of the year it provides a charming view of the open spaces. This porch is like a gallery, which is unusual in Mallorca, it is a place for everyone to relax.

Cellars

Cheeses were made in cellars using milk from cows, sheep and goats.
The dough was kneaded using a stone mill, from which all types of pasta, soups and other dishes were then made.
Dairy products, butter, wine and bread were stored here.

“Torture Chamber”

The room shows typical implements - including iron cages and racks - used against Jews and other non-Christians and heretics or suspected witches during the Spanish Inquisition from the 15th to 17th centuries.

Chapel

The altarpiece, with its beautiful decorated arch, is in the Baroque style; the altar is a rather gothic creation, silver-winged angels. Also note the original floor tiles.

Outer courtyard

Majestic spaces in front of the mansion where four large chestnut trees grow, which are about 150 years old. Here you can relax in the shade while watching the artisans at work: selecting regional wines, liqueurs, juices, jams, sobrassadas (local meat products), cheese, rice, bread and bunyolas (potato flour buns).

Performances

Traditional music and folk dancing take place on Wednesdays and Fridays.

Workshops

The labyrinth of rooms that go downwards includes the underground heart of the house. The property was self-sufficient, with its own oil mill, tinsmiths, distillery, woodworking shop, embroiderers and much more.

North-west of the city of Palma de Mallorca in the Tramontana Mountains is the La Granja estate. The estate is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Mallorca offered by tour companies. If you are planning to visit this attraction on your own by car, you may find it useful geographical coordinates free parking near the entrance to the estate: [ 39.6704966N 2.5612414E].
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2. At the entrance, tourists throw coins into the bowl of the sculpture (most likely for good luck).

The reason why this place in the Tramontana Mountains once attracted people is because of the spring. Its stream rises like a fountain from underground to a height of almost 10 meters. Such a remarkable place began to be developed by the ancient Romans, who, as usual, at one time included Mallorca into the Roman Empire.
Later, under the Arabs, who ruled Mallorca from the 10th to the 12th centuries, a settlement was founded here with a very “German” name - Alpich. The place was famous for its mills and clean springs.
After the Arabs, the Spaniards appeared in Mallorca. At this time, that is, in the 13th century, the La Granja estate was founded. Over its centuries-long history, Granja managed to visit a Cistercian monastery, change several owners, until, finally, in 1968, the current owner of the estate started a restoration, after which the Granja estate turned into an ethnographic museum, in which life was recreated in detail, as it was in rich houses in Mallorca in the 18th-19th centuries.

As the exhibition progresses, one gets the feeling that this is a real village house with its own courtyard buildings, numerous workshops and a beautiful park.
When the phrase “house-museum” is uttered, one imagines a kind of memorial building with signs saying “do not touch the exhibits” and quiet study rooms in which someone great worked. The La Granja estate is also a house-museum. But this house was a self-sufficient closed world, in which there was everything for a comfortable life for the owners.
The staff serving the estate is completely invisible to visitors. The entire visiting route is very carefully thought out, so it seems that there is no one in the estate except vacationers.

The estate building exceeds 3000 square meters: halls, dining rooms, bedrooms, music room, patio, terraces, cellars and... even a local prison. Over time, a small power station also appeared on the estate. In the cellars of La Granja, a huge dynamo is still stored, which once provided light for the entire house. Sewing and leather workshops are located in the adjacent rooms. On the floor above there are laundry and ironing rooms.
The exhibition - real barns, outbuildings, outbuildings - includes a laundry and carriage house, a barn and a pottery workshop, a place for making wax candles, as well as many other ancillary industries. The feeling is that everything is absolutely working, and the craftsmen left their places just a couple of minutes ago.
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Full post

La Granja Mallorca is a country residence located south of Banyalbufar, on the site of a natural spring famous since Roman times. This is another treasure garden on a Spanish island. The estate attracts tourists interested in gardening experiences and who want to get to know the typical Mallorcan life of wealthy landowners, as well as the history and culture of this picturesque corner of Europe.

Currently, La Granja is a thriving ranch with museum elements. Here you can see typical villas of landowners. It's pretty large estate, you should set aside at least half a day to explore it, so that in addition to the beautiful garden you have time to look at the interior, rare exhibits and collections of original exhibitions.

History of the founding of the estate

The history of this attraction dates back to the rule of the Moors, namely in the X-XIII centuries. Even then it existed and was famous for its mills and excellent water from the nearby spring.

When James I conquered Majorca, he gave one part of the land to Count Nuno Sang, and the count soon donated his property to the Cistercians, who founded the first monastery on this island. Since the mid-fifteenth century, the manor belonged to various noble families as a private estate. Most of the collections available for viewing in the estate date back to the seventeenth century.

Water sources and waterfalls

Source clean water helped the estate flourish, gain fame and glory. There is no bad water in Mallorca; natural streams and water sources are the pride of the island. That is why agricultural facilities and settlements are concentrated around them. Since Roman times water resources were of great importance to the settlers. The water in La Granja is the decoration of the estate, the valuable source has the shape big waterfall, falling from a height of 30 m.

A stream of water flows throughout the residence; in many places you can find more or less large fountains, ponds and streams, and a variety of water compositions and entertainment. For example, a table with a hidden water shower that unexpectedly sprays water on visitors.

Presence large quantity water promotes lush growth of vegetation that tightly surrounds buildings. The extensive grounds include a courtyard with fountains from the sixteenth century, a stone garden with fountains and a sundial, a botanical garden with a thousand-year-old yew tree and a park with local fauna.

Interesting objects worth seeing

Interesting objects that are worth seeing when visiting the La Granja estate are:

• living room with theater,
• family chapel,
• a dungeon with dungeons and a torture chamber.

However, the La Granja estate is of particular interest to those who like to study rural life and traditions of Mallorca. Here you can see ancient craft workshops, and you can see examples of objects from the everyday life of peasants.

Twice a week, folk craft exhibitions are held here, where Spanish women dressed in national clothes present lace, embroidery and yarn to tourists. Here you can also try cheese, wine, sausages, donuts, fig cakes, as well as Mallorcan pizza, which is brought here from a restaurant serving medieval cuisine. These dishes can be enjoyed by the cozy fireplace.

Of particular interest are local wines and liqueurs, available to tourists directly from barrels located in the courtyard. There are also musical performances here, you can listen to bagpipes play and watch folk dances.

What to see in the area?

Near the estate there is a beautiful botanical garden with waterfalls. La Granja is still a working farm where you can see pigs, turkeys, chickens and goats, farm equipment and tools. Weary tourists can refresh themselves at a local restaurant serving traditional Mallorcan dishes.

Maoirka. Rural paths – La Granja, Valldemossa, Deia.

The beautiful island of Mallorca, but for the restless - a real disaster! Lying lazily on the beach with my head turned off didn’t work out very well. There was so much I wanted to see!

It’s good that I managed to force myself to forget about hiking... And I really dreamed of walking along the mountain trails! Especially from Deia to Soller: not too difficult, but extremely picturesque...

Already on the second day, having taken a ride to La Granja, I realized that for the first time (who knew if there would be a second...) it was better to get by with standard tourist routes, otherwise I won’t see the sea and the beach at all. No, I really love to rush somewhere into the unknown, but to be in Mallorca and not go to Valldemossa, for example?
It has been repeatedly verified that even in places “trampled” by millions of feet, you can find something “of your own” that only opens up to you.

For some reason, the last thing I wanted to do was go to La Granja - a medieval estate founded in the 13th century by the viceroy of the Aragonese king Jaime I, currently “the richest ethnographic museum in Mallorca.” I’m not drawn to ethnographic museums and that’s it!

However, numerous sources assured that the estate is surrounded by luxurious greenery, and “there are also natural waterfalls, and fountains with huge carps. Typical domestic animals live here (horses, black and pink piglets, birds different types and plumage)".

The greenery is already good... And it’s only 17 kilometers from the capital - just the thing for “warming up”, for “trying it out” intercity buses, find out what and how in Palma's transport terminal.

The estate also promised to serve you donuts with orange jam! My favorites!

What finally convinced me to go to La Granja was the story that somewhere on the paths of her park, a goat literally fell on the author (the lady) from somewhere above))). I immediately remembered my “fellow travelers” in Rhodes last year, there were plenty of representatives of this cunning tribe, and one day something similar happened to me. Why not repeat it?)))

Looking ahead, I will say that this did not happen; I did not encounter any free-roaming goats in La Granja (as well as in other parts of the island). There were goats, goats and kids on the estate, but they lived in an enclosure, from which it was difficult to escape. They had some kind of mini-slide, maybe sometimes they fell from it (although it’s unlikely), but they definitely couldn’t fall on someone)). On the park paths, especially those on the mountain itself, I carefully peered into the bushes - not a single goat's face, not even the crunch of twigs or the noise of crumbling stones! Upset!

A little about how to get to the estate. (Although it has already been written who knows how many times, but still). To Palma from “my” Can Pastilla - on the city blue and white EMT bus (www.emtpalma.es - a useful website, everything is there: routes, stops - in the most detailed way), No. 15, 30, stop Plaza España. Walking a little forward, on the right you will see the entrance to the underground terminal Estació Intermodal (good for everyone, but the smell there is terrible!). If you plan to ride city buses often, it makes sense to buy a tarjeta para bus card at the TABACCO store for 10 trips; one trip on it costs 1 euro, instead of one and a half if you pay the driver each time.

In the terminal, on the board, we look at which platform bus No. 200 departs for Estellencs; the ticket is purchased from the driver. In the town of Esporles, the bus drops everyone off, and you need to go (with the same ticket) to another one, which is already standing a little ahead. Esporles, by the way, seemed very nice. From Esporles to La Granja about ten minutes. On the left, on the driveway to the estate, there is a large stand notifying you that you are there. I was very lucky that I saw that stand, because... Despite what I told the driver about La Granja, he was talking enthusiastically with some grandpa and rushed past. It took about five minutes to return, stomping along the highway.

Fortunately, it’s nice to walk: mountains, silence (in fact, the whole road from Palma is very beautiful).

The estate is indeed surrounded by greenery, but I never expected to find linden trees here. I’ve never seen such huge ones: La Granja smelled of linden blossoms! I think now this scent will always remind me of her.

“Birds of different species and plumages” somehow stuck with me)), i.e. Some turkey hens were wandering around, but I won’t say that they were very striking with their “feathers”))).
It’s the same with “piglets of black and pink breeds”!
The white horse and pony, which later took part in the performances given here several times a day, were glorious.

I really liked the central courtyard in the patterned shade of tall plane trees. By the way, it is in it, to the left of the entrance to the patio of the main house, under a canopy, that there are small barrels with tasting wines. I didn’t notice them right away (there were very few people, no one stood in line at the taps))). I’ve even decided that it’s a bad day and they’re not serving food today... It’s such a shame! (This is despite the fact that in ordinary life I “don’t use” at all). After all, it was “paid” (included in the ticket), and besides, I devoured sausages, cheeses, and the coveted donuts with orange jam. I was thirsty! Of course, wine, especially sweet Muscatel, is not water, but it’s still better than nothing. And the dry red wine (the second of the two offered) quenches thirst very well.

La Granja could once exist in a completely autonomous mode - everything needed for life was produced here. Walking through the lower floors of the house, you can see this: weaving looms, spinning wheels, a room for dyeing yarn, sewing and leather workshops, etc. and so on. They even had their own dynamo. Some people probably like to look at all this. I would have believed it anyway, without the “visual aids”))).
There were also disadvantages to autonomy - the housewives simply had no need to go somewhere. The last wish of one of them was... to see the sea!.. Entertaining trips - only for men. I immediately remembered a Spanish proverb once quoted by a guide in Andalusia: “Hide the woman and the wine in the basement”...

No, the ladies probably lived quite well here: the master's rooms and galleries were comfortable and beautiful. I wouldn’t say it’s luxurious - well, it’s not a royal palace - but everything is furnished and decorated with such taste! There are many pleasant little things everywhere that create the comfort and atmosphere of home.

I would live here for a month with pleasure! If it weren't for the bathroom))). Oh, scary! Although I understand perfectly well that having a bathroom in the house in those days was already a great blessing. But the ancient hammams still look great, but the European bathroom is alas. The device for drying hair looked like an instrument of torture. And what about corsets and stockings! I looked at the stockings hanging from the edge of the bathtub, and thanked the clever people who invented Lycra))) The stockings (albeit white and lacy) slipped off the legs, forming a disgusting “accordion” on the ankles and stretching out on the knees - brr!

Well, God bless her with the bath, and with the stockings))). Everything else was pleasing to the eye. Especially the children's playroom - there are so many interesting things there! And everything is so bright – until now! It seems to me that even a modern child, hit on the head with gadgets since infancy, would be stuck there for two hours. I looked at the wooden box with a cardboard doll and paper clothes for her (older girls probably understood what I was talking about))) with emotion - I haven’t remembered anything like this for a hundred years!

The gentlemen probably hardly looked into the kitchen, nevertheless, everything there is very nice: wooden ceiling beams, bunches of onions hanging from the ceiling, polished copper utensils.

What I remember most is the salon, which looks like a gazebo in the garden: the room, which seems square, seems round because of the painting of the ceiling, made in the form of a tent, the bottom of the walls is painted with flowering plants, the upholstery is pale pink, and there is an elegant chandelier. At the table set for tea (there are even some cookies for authenticity) sits the “hostess” in national dress. French windows open onto a small patio with a fountain.

From the patio you can access the very top part of the park.

It's a pity, but the park didn't seem interesting to me. The lower part (considered regular) is not very well-groomed, the roses are somewhat frail, with rare exceptions. And in general there are few flowers. I liked only one unusual conifer - the branches hung from the horizontally growing trunk like a curtain.

The upper park is essentially a “dense forest”, with paved paths. True, there are a couple of “Moorish corners” in it, with beautiful tiles and water fountains, they are good.

And it was there that a summer shower for ladies was discovered. The chosen place is ideal - the view of the surrounding mountains is magnificent, but it’s almost impossible to look inside “for anyone who is not supposed to.” I almost fell down, trying to somehow take a photo of such an interesting “object”. And still we only managed to fit a corner of it into the frame.
The “water supply” was arranged as follows: in one of the upper corners of this roofless building, a hole about 15 centimeters in diameter was made, a gutter was inserted into it, and the maids (while outside!) poured water along it with buckets. Radiculitis was guaranteed for the poor people...

It seems to me that the heat in La Granja is never stifling. Below, in Palma, it was pretty hot, but here a light breeze blew all the time. After two hours of walking around the house and the park, I realized that I was not the least bit tired, quite the opposite - a complete feeling of some kind of renewal descended. Music was playing softly in the house, and for some reason Chopin (yes! in La Granja, not in Valldemossa!).
It was so pleasant to sit in a wicker chair in an open gallery, listening to melancholy waltzes and enjoying the honey aroma of linden trees... (Just a phrase from the diary of an enthusiastic schoolgirl))) - but the absolute truth!)

If the trip to La Granja was in question at the beginning, then I was going to Valldemossa “definitely and without fail.” George Sand and Chopin ensured this mountain village worldwide fame))). I knew about her, it seems, always - in a completely “pink” childhood I poked my nose into ZhZL’s volume dedicated to Chopin. Numerous photos on the Internet were even more attractive than the story of the famous guests of the Carthusian monastery - the panoramas are amazing, both IN the village and FROM the village.

And even more than that, the guests were not at all attractive. To the point where I decided - well, this monastery, I’d rather just wander around the streets remote from it. They assured me that it was quiet and deserted. But the views are supposedly the same.
In reality, everything turned out to be a little different. There are not many streets in the village! And if you don’t go to a monastery, then there’s nowhere to go. It took me two hours to do everything about everything, with the monastery and the palace of King Sancho (a single ticket costs 8-50 euros, they put on a surprisingly durable paper bracelet, which I then had difficulty tearing off my hand).

The 210 comes here from Palma, there is almost always a queue for it, but it runs frequently, every half hour. Travel time is also half an hour.

The village has a completely modern information center, and I don’t even know why, I took a map there.
It is absolutely not needed - all roads lead to the monastery garden and to the museum ticket office. The garden is nice - with roses, palm trees, boxwood bushes. I walked along the corridors and former cells and glanced briefly at the display cases with exhibits. Nothing stuck. Except, perhaps, for the outlandish Madonna and Child - dolls in 18th-century costumes.

But it’s good on the terrace! There is a tiny fountain here, and a pool with water lilies, but the main thing is the views of the valley and the Tramuntana Mountains! We were incredibly lucky to get into the “window” between the flow of organized groups. There were only about five people with me. They stood in silence, enjoying the beauty, exchanging knowing glances...

I liked the palace of King Sancho much more than the monastery. I love vintage interiors. And what chandeliers there are! And again the terrace, and again a magnificent panorama! It seems similar to the previous ones, but a little bit different...

Of course, I also wandered around the “remote” streets. (They are a couple of steps away from the monastery))). I took photographs of numerous ceramic tablets depicting episodes from the life of the revered local saint, Catalina Toma, and admired the luxurious hydrangeas and pretty wooden fences with flowerpots of petunias. Some people criticize Valldemossa for being too combed and too picturesque - I don’t know, I always like being well-groomed.

And it’s certainly not for this reason that Valldemossa touched my soul, only slightly. Most likely there was some discrepancy between expectations and reality. And it’s not that this reality is bad – God forbid! Perhaps, I wanted more truly remote, non-tourist streets and some kind of “wild” mirador.

In general, I boarded the bus to Deia (the same 210, which then goes all the way to Soller), without any sadness of parting, but quite happy with what I saw.

The drive is nothing - about 15 minutes, and the road - wow!!!
Mind-blowing beauty! That's right, I would like to walk here, without rushing anywhere, so as not to miss anything! We also passed an absolutely postcard cape with a snow-white rotunda...
After some time, the road turned to the right, the sea disappeared from sight. And just as I was about to catch my breath and take a break from the impressions, a mountain appeared with such a picturesque scattering of houses on it!

Deya!
And the bus goes on and on! How can I come back here later?!
It turned out that everything is simple: there is a wonderful promenade along the highway, and you can enjoy the views of the village “with all the amenities.” Which, of course, I did later.

When I got off the bus, at first I didn’t notice anything particularly remarkable. We drove past beauty! True, she knew that somewhere on the mountain there should be a church, and she headed towards it. But already at the first turn, turning back, she gasped: on the other side of the road luxury park! You won't even notice it from below. The park was behind a solid fence... Probably some kind of closed residence... Then, at every turn of the street, I approached the edge of the cliff, trying to get a better look at the lawns of the park, but something always got in the way - either roofs or walls.

I got to the church, inside it is very, very modest. But, of course, from here, from above, there is a wonderful view of almost 360 degrees... It’s a pity that the most spectacular view was to the west, and the sun was just in that direction at that time. Even just looking at it is difficult, and even more so taking pictures.
She walked downstairs, a little upset by this circumstance.

But what kind of park is this? I crossed the road - well, I must! Indeed - La Residencia! A very calm sign, above it there is a waterfall of some pale blue flowers unknown to me, and besides them there are small climbing roses and a lemon tree. A little further in the wall there was a gate with an even more modest Belmond sign... (Now I know WHAT Belmond is, but then I never dreamed, and thank God, otherwise I would not have decided to go inside))).

Looks like it's open! I look in... The path on one side framed by flowerpots with lush geraniums, and on the other - silver-green olives and the most delicate pale pink polyanthus roses just beckons! I enter... It seems like no security guards are rushing towards me... The path led to the terrace of a certain palazzo (and why did an Italian word suddenly pop up in my head in Spain?!).

The terrace itself and the pictures from it are a fairy tale... Crazy views of Deia, the mountains, the park! And no one! There was only a couple at one table, sipping cocktails...

And what kind of tables are these! Or rather, there is nothing special about them themselves - they are round glass, but right under them whole clouds of daisies grow and it seems as if the tables are also kind of “daisy-made”. Each one also has a pot of fresh flowers. Wicker furniture, white soft pillows, a light canopy from the sun - a dream, not a terrace!

From the far part of it you can see the sea... It’s a bit far from the sea of ​​Deia, alas. But surely such a luxurious hotel (and it turned out that I was on the territory of a Belmond hotel) has shuttles to the beach. Yes, and there are similar hotels for those who can go to the sea any week-end if they wish. And here - privacy, peace, absolute comfort...

The waiters here smile not even five, but seven stars))). And the handsome ones! Are they selected based on their exterior, or what?

The chamomile terrace turns into another, not so spectacular, but very cozy. And again - views, views, views... Mountains, tiled roofs of village houses, palm trees, lilac jacarandas, bougainvilleas!

At the end of this terrace there is a bench near a lush white hydrangea bush. And then the arch to the El Olivo restaurant, or rather to its open veranda. There really is an olive tree - growing near the balustrade! The tables are already set for dinner, each with a white candle.

It seemed to me that my wings were rustling behind my back, it was so good there! Eden is real!

And what a blessing it is in the park! From above I noticed a gazebo, all entwined with jasmine. The aroma is divine on the outside, and even on the inside! I sat in this gazebo, drowning in the chair cushions, admiring the lantern under the ceiling, reveling in the finest “perfume.” In spring, citrus fruits are sure to smell fragrant here...

How I didn’t want to leave! It’s good that the same promenade around the village that I already mentioned was still waiting for me. The views from it are also “luxury”. Quite a Belmond))

Before leaving, I walked a little through the streets of Deia and came across a nice restaurant with prices much more lenient than in El Olivo, but with no less impressive views. So there is also life outside the world of luxury, and it’s very good))).

And to top it all off, I met a foxie here - I love them dearly, because I once had two of my own... The owner, before leaving the treasure at the entrance to the store, kissed him on the forehead, ears and nose, whispered something in his ear, in general , they said goodbye, as if they were supposed to separate for two hours))) The girl came out three minutes later! And again - a kiss, words in your ear, and a treat for good behavior))) Sometimes you want to be a fox!

This is how the route turned out - although not “one day” - from La Granja, fragrant with linden blossoms, to jasmine Deia...