BY Marcia Abramson
Mallorca is one of Spain's five Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean Sea whose capital is the medieval city of Palma. The Renaissance 6 could not have found a more fascinating island as a destination for its passengers. I thought it was rather nice to be anchored in the same bay (Bahia de Palma) just a short distance from the magnificent yachts of the King of Spain other European royals and Middle Eastern oil barons. Palma de Mallorca is the administrative capital of the Balearics and is conceivably one of the most popular tourist destinations in all of Spain. While still president, Bill Clinton and first lady Hillary Clinton spent some time enjoying the rugged beauty of the cliffs of pine and juniper trees that line the coasts of the island.
I decided to take the Renaissance's shore excursion to take in Palma City highlights since I wanted to see Bellver, the only round Gothic-style castle in Europe. It was built in the 14th century for the Kings of Mallorca. After a short drive along a steep narrow road, there was the castle. After a spiral climb to the top of the structure, I must say the climb was worth the spectacular view or the island. A freestanding, round "keep" dominates the building which also has a regal double gallery of arches. Of course, no medieval castle is complete without its parade ground, drawbridge and moat, which I found to be true of Bellver. The interior of the castle also houses a significant chapel and excellent historical museum.
There is also a tour to Valldemossa, about 11 miles north of Palma with the former estate of Austrian Archduke Ludwig Salvator, Son Marroig an important stop along the way. The estate is now a museum with breathtaking views from a marbled belvedere of the sea and the coast. You will also see the famous pierced rock (Foradada) that comes up from the sea and was the meeting place for the yacht of the archduke. As you continue your journey, you will find yourself in the serene village of Valldemossa, the winter haven for the lovers, Frederick Chopin and his French mistress, George Sand, in 1835. Their apartment was in a monastery that was established in 1339, but deserted by the monks in 1835 and later converted into summer apartments. The lovers were able to take sanctuary in the mild winter climate away from prying vacationers. In fact, I was told that George Sand described the gorgeous countryside in her book "A Winter in Mallorca."
After taking in the environs of Mallorca, I was ready for a tour of the city of Palma. There before my eyes was a truly medieval city with what appeared to be tunneled streets, hidden gardens, beautiful swaying palm-shaded plazas and gracious palaces. As I continued my walk I came upon the most amazing Mallorcan cathedral. The construction of this edifice was started in 1230 to commemorate the liberation of Mallorca by King Jamie from the Moors after 300 years of their domination of the island. I also observed that this enormous sand-colored Gothic cathedral seemed only a mite smaller than Milan's taller Duomo which is purported to be the tallest Gothic cathedral in the world. It was no wonder to me to find inside the building a pair of gigantic eight foot tall early 18th century candelabra and the famous Spanish architect, Antoni Gaudi's heavily jeweled covered baldachin. As I walked a little further, I came upon some ruins of a 10th century bathhouse surrounded by a garden of cactus, oleander, palmettos and hibiscus, believed to be one of the few remnants of the Muslim era or occupation. All in all this is a lovely city and a delightful island which has captured the hearts of actor Michael Douglas who has his own Shangri-La home about 15 miles northeast of Palma in the quaint village of Deia with all beige stone houses, terraces of olive trees and a vista of rocky green mountains. Charlie Chaplin and F. Scott Fitzgerald also made Mallorca a favorite home away from home.
I did not want to leave Mallorca without a souvenir or two. I therefore, headed to the shopping areas of the city for handicraft items made from olive wood. They are on the Avinguda Jaume III as well as the pedestrian-only streets of Carrer Sindicat and Carrer Sant Miguel. I then joined most of the passengers of the Renaissance Cruise to search for a bargain in Mallorcan pearls, which come from the city of Manacor and are world famous as the most desired simulated pearls. We were taken to a pearl factory where we watched the centuries-old process that uses finely powdered mother of pearl in layer upon layer. I found it difficult to be able to tell the difference between a cultured pearl and the Mallorcan pearl. However, these were not inexpensive. A rather nice pair of Mallorcan pearl earrings were not the $16 I was prepared to pay, but $60. It appeared that I was the only one returning to the ship without the red bag of pearls from Mallorca. But I do have some wonderful memories of the ideal climate with year-
round cooling sea breezes and temperatures of no more than 75 degrees from June through September and no less than 58 from October through May.
Copyright by Marcia Abramson
