Activities and plans to do in Valldemossa
It is one of the most beautiful and charming villages in Mallorca. Some compare it to a small fairy tale village, while others liken it to a Christmas hamlet. Valldemossa is the birthplace of the wonderful potato cakes, the refuge of Chopin during a whole winter, and an ancient residence of the royal family back in the 13th century.
With proper organization, plus the information we will detail below, it's possible to visit the most emblematic places in Valldemossa in just one day. And, of course, to savor one of its famous potato cakes.
The Royal Charterhouse of Valldemossa
It was the residence of the family of King Sancho I of Mallorca and was donated to the Carthusian monks in the year 1399. For over 400 years, it was the abode of these religious individuals until it passed into private hands and became a stately home and inn.
This place has hosted illustrious figures such as Rubén Darío, Miguel de Unamuno, Santiago Rusiñol, and, of course, Frédéric Chopin and George Sand.
The visit includes the church, where you can admire the frescoes by Manuel Bayeu, Goya's brother-in-law, the cloister, and the old pharmacy of the Carthusians, a curious place full of history and tradition.
A walk-through different room of the old inn and the municipal museum of Valldemossa completes the tour.
Frédéric Chopin and George Sand Museum
During the winter of 1838, cell number 4 of the Charterhouse of Valldemossa hosted the composer and pianist Frédéric Chopin and his companion George Sand, the famous author of "A Winter in Majorca." This book was not without controversy due to its portrayal of the locals and their customs. However, many authors argue that Aurore Dupin merely documented what she had read in other manuscripts, embellishing it in favor of the customs of the time in France.
This small room has become a museum and one of the must-visit places in Valldemossa. It houses mementos of both artists, including a beautiful original piano that Chopin personally transported from Paris.
King Juan Carlos I Gardens
Leaving the Charterhouse, you'll arrive at the King Juan Carlos I Gardens, the former courtyard of the church cloister. From here, you can enjoy a view of the Charterhouse's bell tower, along with a small labyrinthine path filled with whimsical and wild vegetation. Many of its nooks feature busts of illustrious figures who have visited the town at some point.
Santa Catalina Tomás' Birthplace
Yes, Valldemossa also has its own saint. On Rectoría Street, one of the most beautiful streets in the village, specifically at number 5, Santa Catalina Tomás was born in 1531.
Catalina Tomás, known as "La Beateta," was a beloved and venerated nun by the residents of Valldemossa and all of Mallorca. She was beatified in 1792, and in 1930, she began to be revered as a saint.
In her birthplace, a small chapel dedicated to her residence is preserved, and throughout the village, there are houses with painted tiles that commemorate moments from the life of Santa Catalina. Discovering them on a leisurely stroll while enjoying the fluffiness of a delicious potato cake is... double pleasure.
And if you happen to coincide with the village's celebrations dedicated to its patron saint at the end of July, even better.
