Pollença Information & Pollença Links at HealthHaven.com

The streets of Pollença

The 365 Calvari steps

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 6 km from the coast in an effort to avoid pirate attacks.

Most houses were built in the 17th and 18th centuries and many streets are very narrow and compact, a leftover from the medieval era. The central square, called Plaça Major, has numerous outdoor cafés and is dominated by a large 13th century church Esglèsia de Nostra Senyora dels Àngels (Our Lady of the Angels) which was built by the Knights Templar.

One of the town's most distinctive features is the 365-step stairway north of the square; this 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 Stations of the Cross. This is followed by a mock crucifixion on top of the hill after which the figure of Christ is ceremonially removed from the Cross. There is a sombre, torchlit parading of the body of Christ through the town it is led by hundreds people in cloaks, masks and pointed hats and done in total silence save for the slow beating of a drum. The town is packed with tourists and locals who come to witness the spectacle, and there is a large screen set-up in one of the squares for people to follow the event.

Pollenca in the north

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 which exist. There are many festivals in Pollença:

"The trade fair is in the 2nd week of November; on January 16th massive bonfires are lit all over town for the Eve of feast of St. Anthony. The following day an event called El Pino involves a huge pine tree which is dragged through the town, stripped of its branches and erected in front of the church. Youths then compete to climb the trunk. In February the annual carnival is held and in July the patron saint is honoured with parades, concerts and dancing."[2]

[edit] Beaches

Cala Figuera

Cala Figuera
Cala Murta
Cala Formentor

[edit] External links

Coordinates: 39°52′38″N 3°00′59″E / 39.87722°N 3.01639°E / 39.87722; 3.01639