Fornalutx in Serra de Tramuntana2

Fornalutx is a much-visited colorful village located in the Valley of Sóller, in the centre of the Serra de Tramuntana mountains.

Its origins go back to the Middle Ages and it grew up around the site of a primitive Moorish farmstead, as is indicated by the old streets in the highest part of the village, which are narrow, winding and steep.

Nearly all these stone streets are stepped and are reserved exclusively for pedestrians.

The entire village is of great architectural and aesthetic interest, with buildings kept in fine condition.

The village is linked to agriculture, with vegetable, orange and olive cultivation being the driving force behind the economy until the 1960s, just as in the rest of the Valley of Sóller.

The stone entrances, the austerity and simplicity of constructions, together with their ornamentation, mean that the houses of Fornalutx are fine examples of traditional mallorcan mountain architecture, reflecting life in times gone by

The history of Fornalutx starts over 1000 years ago, when it was an Arab property.

Before the arrival of mass tourism on Mallorca, there were artists and foreigners here, who were drawn to the area by the beauty of the landscape and the simple lifestyle of the locals. Some of these visitors live permanently here.

Tourism here is heavily based on second homes and holiday apartments, as well as some hotels which are old houses which have been converted, both within the village and in the surrounding area.

The population of the area started after the Catalan conquest and the present church was finished in 1639 (this was originally a 13th century Gothic construction)

Fond muzical: ♦ Solo hay una para mi - Semino Rossi ♦ En Aranjuez con tu amor – Placido Domingo

Fotografii:

Daniela Iacob

Mara Chin aţ

Prezentare: Sanda Foi oreanuş