Pollença
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Pollença (Pollensa) is a town and municipality situated in the far north corner of the island of Mallorca, near Cap de Formentor and Alcúdia, and has an estimated population of 15,536[1]. It lies about six kilometres west of its port, Port de Pollença (Puerto Pollensa).
It was founded in the 13th century around 6km from the coast in an effort to avoid pirate attacks.
Most of its houses are built in the 17th and 18th centuries and many of its streets are very narrow and compact, a leftover from its medieval past. The central square is called Plaça Major with many outdoor cafés and dominated by a large church Esglèsia de Nostra Senyora dels Àngels.
One of the town's most distinctive features is its 365 step stairway north of the square, which leads up to a chapel on top of the hill known as Calvary. On Good Friday this is the setting for the most dramatic parade of the year. First, on the road winding up the back of the hill, there is an enactment of the 13 stages of the cross. This is followed by a mock crucifixion on top of the hill. The statue of Christ is later ceremonially removed from the Cross. There is a sombre parading of the body of Christ through the town by hundreds people in cloaks, masks and pointed hats, in total silence save for the slow beat of a drum. The town is packed with tourists and locals who come to admire the spectacle, and there is a large screen set-up in one of the squares for people to follow the event.
The town is popular with tourists and holidaymakers, particularly from Britain and other European nations.
One of the best kept secrets of the region is the underwater world and numerous diving centres have opened there in the past few years. There are many festivals in Pollença:
- "The trade fair is in the 2nd week of November, massive bonfires are lit all over town on January 16th for the Eve of St. Anthony and the following day, a huge pine tree is dragged through the town and erected in front of the church. Youths then compete to climb it. In February is the annual carnival and in July the patron saint is honoured with parades, concerts and constant dancing."[2]
[edit] Beaches
- Cala Figuera
- Cala Murta
- Cala Formentor
[edit] External links
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