Valldemossa - a beautiful city in Mallorca with Chopin in the background!
Valldemossa (Wajdemoza) is a beautiful and atmospheric town located in the western part of Mallorca, a Spanish island. Just 17 km from Palma, the capital of the Balearic Islands. We had to visit them, because on every trip abroad we are looking for a Polish theme. This is where we found one, in the love story of Fryderyk Chopin and the French writer George Sand. Already during the journey, the town delights, fully showing its amazing buildings pressed at the foot of the majestic mountains of the Serra de Tramuntana (Sierra de Tramontana).
The love of Fryderyk Chopin and George Sand in Valldemossa, Majorca
Not everyone knows that Mallorca became home to our Chopin for several months. He spent the winter in Valldemossa with his love - George Sand, a French writer. They met in Paris and I imagined that it was a great, romantic love full of rapture. In fact, it was a complicated relationship. Fryderyk had a difficult nature as an artist, as well as poor health. His chosen one, on the other hand (or actually he became her chosen one) was older than him and had two children from a previous marriage, which did not facilitate their relationship. Even before we left, we watched "Chopin. Desire for Love"with Danuta Stenka and Piotr Adamczyk to get into the mood.
In Mallorca, they spent the winter in the beautiful, small town of Valldemossa. They were supposed to feel like in paradise here and heal the pianist's illness, but the rainy weather thwarted the plans. Nothing like this has happened to us. We did not see a drop of rain here, and the sun allowed us to appreciate the charms of this beautiful place.
Carthusian monastery (La Cartuja) in Valldemossa
We recommend visiting the Carthusian monastery where Chopin and George Sand and her children lived. This took place in 1838. They rented a modest cell, but the view from the terrace was very nice for the composer, and the terrace itself now also delights, constituting a beautiful vantage point.
Visiting Chopin's cell is worth seeing in Valldemossa
Today, the monastery of La Cartuja invites you to its doorstep as a museum. The whole can be seen after buying several tickets, while we bought tickets (5 euros per person) only to the monastery cell number 4, where the famous Pole lived. There is a Pleyel piano here, which was brought for him from Paris during his stay. On this piano, he composed famous works here, such as preludes, polonaise, the second ballad or the third scherzo.
Later, Szopen sold this instrument to the Majorcan Canut family, and since 1932 it has been exhibited in the same chamber in which the virtuoso played it.
Carthusian Church - former palace of King Sancho
It is an impressive building that attracts attention from afar. Its origins date back to the fourteenth century and initially constituted the palace of King Sancho I. Not everyone knows that Mallorca was once an independent kingdom and had 4 rulers. In 1399, the palace was handed over to the Carthusian order, who arranged a monastery here.
The atmospheric streets of Valldemossa
Valldemossa is very charming and is one of the nicest cities on Majorca. It is also worth walking through the narrow streets of the city, because they are very atmospheric and well-groomed, as is the case with the Mediterranean Sea. You won't see as many colors here as in Malta, for example. Mallorca is more subdued and raw. It is dominated by the color of sand, and greenery in the accessories. You will see green shutters all over the island. Only single ones are of a different color. The doors are often surrounded by pots of plants, but they are also more modest than those we saw in Malta or Istria in Croatia. In the center, there are cafes and restaurants as well as souvenir shops.
St Catalina's Tiles
Interestingly, on almost every Valldemossa house you will see characteristic tiles with St. Catalina Tomas, also known as Catherine of Palma. It's the only Saint from Mallorca. She was born in Valldemossa in May 1533. She gave her life to God in a monastery in Palma and died there. She was canonized in 1930 and her cult in this city is very much alive. The colorful tiles depict scenes from Katarzyna's life and requests for her intercession. It made a big impression on us that the whole town expresses worship and is so coherent and harmonious, and at the same time it looks modest and beautiful at the same time. It's worth seeing.
Access to Valldemossa and parking
You can get to the city from Palma de Mallorca, the capital of the island, in about 30 minutes by bus (from Centro Palma Bus Station, line 203). We got to Valldemossa by car, because we rented a car at Fast24 - Mallorca/Majorca Rental, which is run by Poles.
We parked in a paid car park in the city center. It costs 2 euros per hour, but we paid 3 euros for 2 hours. It's hard to get a free seat here. By the way, I will write that in Mallorca you can stand for free in places marked with a white line. Paid parking zones are marked with a blue line and yellow lines indicate no parking.
Experiences in the area
The surroundings of Valldemossa offer many opportunities for tourism. A popular destination for excursions is also the area of Puig Major, the highest peak of Mallorca with an altitude of over 1,400 m above sea level. Although the peak itself is an inaccessible military area, there are many trekking trails in the area. In a short distance, it is also worth visiting other interesting towns - Fonalutx and Soller, and at the northern end of Mallorca, be sure to visit Cape Formentor.
Our video about Mallorca
We also invite you to watch our film about Majorca in Spain. There are, of course, frames from Valldemossa.
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What's worth seeing in the area?
If you have already visited this attraction, it is also worth visiting several other interesting ones places nearby. Within a radius of 100 kilometers you will find many interesting places places that can diversify your stay in this part of Poland.
- Soller in Mallorca, distance: 10.1 km
- Palma de Mallorca in Mallorca, distance: 15.9 km
- Mallorca, distance: 15.9 km
- Alcudia in Mallorca, distance: 45.5 km
- Formentor in Mallorca, distance: 57.6 km
- Cala del Moro in Mallorca, distance: 61.4 km
- The most beautiful beaches in Mallorca, distance: 61.4 km
- Drach Cave in Mallorca, distance: 63.6 km
