3 Museums in Mallorca You Can't Miss
Historical, scientific, cultural, ethnological... Mallorca boasts important museums where you can look back in time and explore the island's heritage for a few hours. At Mon Port, we've curated a selection of the three most interesting ones that you shouldn't miss.
Experience Mallorca's Past: Finca Els Calderers
Finca Els Calderersis a gem of Mallorcan history, providing an authentic glimpse into life back then.
Dating back to the 13th century, the main building is a typical three-story Mallorcan house with a beautiful inner courtyard known as Sa Clastra, featuring a central pond that refreshes and enlivens the atmosphere. The construction, made of "marés" stone, includes stables, enclosures with native animals like the Mallorcan black pig, and spaces for medieval trades such as the blacksmith's workshop or the stone laundry.
Els Calderers also serves as a museum of decorative arts, artistic pieces, and ethnological exhibits. Located in the municipality of Sant Joan, visitors can stroll through the main rooms of the house and the agricultural areas, highlighting the tools and utensils used in traditional farming.
Son Marroig: A Tribute to Archduke Luis Salvador
Son Marroig museum was established in 1922 with the aim of preserving and disseminating the legacy of Archduke Luis Salvador of Austria, a significant figure of the late 19th century who acquired this property.
At the estate, you can wander through this former property of the Archduke, historically a key element of the island's agricultural and livestock economy. Gradually adapting over the centuries, it bears a marked defensive and fortified character, likely due to its construction during pirate times.
The building has a rectangular layout with exposed wooden beams. One side houses the chapel, and stairs lead to a 15th-century tower intended to protect the houses from attacks by pirates who took advantage of the night and the shelter of Sa Foradada rock to land and access Valldemossa.
Miramar Monastery Museum: Founded by Ramon Llull
In 1276, Ramon Llull founded the monastery and school of oriental languages in Miramar. Here, Franciscans learned Arabic to evangelize the peoples of North Africa.
About two centuries later, in 1487, this place made history in Mallorca as the site of the island's first printing press, just 25 years after Gutenberg introduced it as a revolutionary invention capable of producing books faster and more efficiently.
Today, Miramar is a museum dedicated to Ramon Llull and Archduke Luis Salvador, both significant figures in the history of this space.
The interior of the house preserves the monastery's ancient floor, the monks' kitchen, and a wonderful marble statue of the Virgin Mary, a gift from Empress Sissi.
Don't miss the old oil mill outside, nor the Byzantine Garden or the cloister, which includes Gothic arches from the convent of Santa Margarita in Palma. Additionally, there are several viewpoints to enjoy the landscape: the Archduke's viewpoint, Sa Ferradura, Es Llac, and the Jardí de la Torre del Moro.
Today, we've only covered three of the museum houses you can find in Mallorca but stay tuned to this blog as we'll soon unveil other very interesting places you shouldn't miss.
