Manacor
The municipality of Manacor is located on the east of Mallorca. It is the capital of the comarca of Llevant as well as the administrative centre of this area. With a population of 40000 people, it is the third most important municipality on the island and the fourth in terms of extension.
The first indications of human occupation in the area of Manacor go back to 2000 BC. It is important to highlight the artificial coves used as burial places, the navetas, which were built in that period.
Of the Talaiot culture, the most outstanding constructions are S’Hospitalet Vell, Bosc, Bellver, Bendrís, Son Sureda and Sa Gruta.
The origin of the town of Manacor goes back to the times before the Islamic domination. In the 14th century, King James II granted Manacor the statute of municipality. Constructions such as the Torre del Palau, the Torre de les Puntes and the Torre dels Enagistes, amongst others, have been preserved from the beginnings of town planning.
The municipality of Manacor is worldwide known for its cultured pearls. In this comarca, there are companies and shops that sell these small jewels. You can even visit the factories to learn about the production process. The first cultured pearl factory was founded in 1902 by the German industrialist Eduard Frederic Hug Heusch. In 1951, that same factory introduced a new kind of pearl called Majorica, of better quality than the rest. The Majorica factory dates back to 1890.
Apart from the tourist and the pearl industry, the wood sector was also important, particularly in terms of furniture production.
In this comarca, there is a great number of caves, among which it is important to highlight the beautiful Coves del Drach (literally “Dragon Caves”), the Coves dels Hams ( “Fishhook Caves”) and the Coves del Pirata (“Pirate Caves”).
On the coast, you can also find many coves where you can swim and relax: Cala Moreia, Cala Morlanda, Cala Petita, Porto Cristo, Cala Anguila, Cala Mendia, S’Estany d’en Mas, Cala Falcó, Cala Varques, Cala Sequer, Cala Magraner, Cala Virgili, Cala Bota, Cala Antena, Cala Domingos and Cala Murada.
Information of Interest
- Coves del Drach
- Convent of Sant Vicenç Ferrer, with its cloister and its rectory
- The parish church of Mare de Déu dels Dolors
- Torre de ses Puntes, an old country house
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Torre dels Enagistes, an old fortified country house
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Dansa de Moretons: Old ritual dance in which people wear costumes similar to those worn by the Berber pirates. It takes place in May during Saint Domingo’s festival.
- Dansa dels Cossiers (May and June): Dance group consisting of six men and a woman.
- Saint Anthony: The night before January 17, bonfires are lighted in the streets. People gather to eat and sing. On January 17, the “Beneïdes” (or Blessing) take place. There is a parade and pets are blessed by a parish priest.
Cultured pearls
LINK OF MANACOR TOWN COUNCIL
http://www.manacor.org/