The center of Mallorca: Pla de Mallorca
To the west of the Llevant lies the region of Pla de Mallorca. It is also known as Es Pla and is located centrally, largely inland, on the island. The plain is bordered to the northwest by the Serra de Tramuntana mountain range and to the east by the Serres de Llevant. The border to the Migjorn region is formed by the Puig de Randa plateau, which, at 544 meters, is also the highest point in the region.
In terms of population, Pla de Mallorca is the smallest region on the island – in 2008, only about 54,100 people lived here, spread across 16 municipalities.
The region is considered Mallorca's breadbasket, as most of its basic agricultural products, such as rice, corn, and potatoes, originate here. Large almond orchards can also be found here, as well as vineyards. Due to its sheltered and comparatively low-lying location with little access to the sea, Pla de Mallorca is the hottest part of the island. Only a few hills in the valley make the region particularly suitable for cycling. The landscape is characterized by typical windmills, the molins, which are now largely abandoned. In addition to beautiful landscapes throughout the interior, the individual municipalities also have several attractions to offer.
The municipality of Muro has access to the Bay of Alcúida in the northwest, where the small resort of Platja de Muro is located. About ten kilometers inland lies Muro, the capital of the region, which has just over 6,000 inhabitants. On the northern border of the municipality lies a large part of the Parc natural de s'Albufera de Mallorca nature reserve – a drained marshland crisscrossed by several small rivers and torrents. This area is home to countless rare plant and animal species.
The 16th-century parish church of Sant Joan, the former Minims monastery, now a school, and the ethnological museum in a 17th-century building are other truly worthwhile attractions of the municipality. To the southeast, Muro borders the region's most populous municipality (just over 12,000): Santa Margalida. It is also located on the Bay of Alcúida and is centered around three towns: the aforementioned Can Picafort, Santa Margalida, and Son Serra de Marina. Can Picafort is indeed a highly touristy town, with many hotels, restaurants, and bars along the coast. To escape the hustle and bustle, a trip to the Parc natural de s'Albufera is recommended. Santa Margalida, on the other hand, is a somewhat smaller, very traditional town, where agriculture and handicrafts are the main activities. The impressive 13th-century parish church of Santa Margalida offers visitors not only a magnificent interior but also a magnificent view of the countryside.
Son Serra de Marina, like Can Picafort, is located on the coast. It was only developed in the 1960s and primarily consists of second homes for the islanders themselves. Thus, the village is populated by foreign tourists in the summer, but mainly by local tourists – but it is not overcrowded. From here, towards Can Picafort, lies the necropolis of Son Real, a Talayotic burial site. A special feature of the coastal section in the municipality of Santa Margalida are the navigation towers dating from the 1940s, built from local sand-lime brick and located in pairs at a distance of exactly 1,240 meters. The obelisk-like structures were used by the Navy for positioning exercises until the 1970s and now characterize the coastal landscape in a unique way.
With a population of just under 5,400, the third-largest municipality in the Pla de Mallorca region lies far inland on the southeastern border. There are six smaller mountains here, the highest of which is the Puig de Randa, the highest peak in the region. In addition to the windmills that characterize the landscape, special sights include the pilgrimage chapel of the Mare de Déu de la Pau de Castellitx and the Gordiola glass factory, where visitors can watch the glassblowers at work. In the small village of Pina, there is the parish church of Sants Cosme i Damià, and above it rises the Puig de Randa, which not only offers an incomparable view over the plain, but is also home to three very noteworthy monasteries: the Santuari de Nostra Senyora de Gràcia is the smallest and lowest of the three. It dates back to the 15th century and has been home to Franciscans since the 16th century. The slightly higher-lying Ermita de Sant Honorat was built in the 13th century and renovated again at the end of the 17th century. Some of the order's friars still live here today, so the site is not accessible to the average tourist. At the top of the mountain is the Santuari de Nostra Senyora de Cura monastery, one of the island's most important pilgrimage sites.
Articles about the island of Mallorca:
Palma de Mallorca
The region around the capital, Palma (Google Maps), borders the Migjorn landscape zone to the west. The island's government seat is also its supply center.
The Southwest
The southwest of the island of Mallorca boasts diverse landscapes. The region is characterized by chic harbors and a vibrant nightlife.
The Northwest
The Serra de Tramuntana is well-connected to hiking and cycling trails, making it an ideal destination for independent travelers and nature lovers.
The North
The north forms the transition from the mountains to the "Pla" plain. Although the region is crisscrossed by rivers and waterways, little arable land remains.
The Northeast
The northeastern Llevant is famous for its beaches and coves, some of which are overrun by mass tourism. Examples include Cala Rajada and Cala Millor.
The Southeast
The southeast extends along the coastline and borders Llevant to the northeast and Pla de Mallorca and Palma to the northwest.
The South
The flat interior of the south of Mallorca flows into wide sandy beaches or rises until it abruptly ends at high cliffs.