Andratx – Local History, Art and Market
Accommodation in Andratx
Andratx reveals itself through its historic buildings, the streets of the old town centre and a lively community. Former town halls, a church with Baroque altarpieces, a short walk around the centre and an art centre offer different perspectives on the town’s history. There are also shops, restaurants and the Wednesday market.
File:Andratx, Iglesia de Santa María de Andratx, fachada norte, 01.jpg
Photo: Malopez 21 via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Country Estates, a Church and Former Town Halls
The former country estate Son Mas has housed Andratx Town Hall since 1998 and is considered one of the area’s most emblematic buildings. It is recommended as a place to visit. The estate stands on the site of a former Arab alquería. It includes the 15th-century defensive tower Torre des Sagrament and monumental neo-Gothic alterations from the early 20th century. Son Mas therefore showcases several phases of construction, from the medieval tower to the later neo-Gothic changes.
The church of Santa María de Andratx was built as a parish church in 1248. It preserves Baroque altarpieces dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary, the Virgin Mary and Saint Sebastian. The painting Quadre des Moros is also part of its furnishings: it depicts the Turkish landing in Andratx on 2 August 1578. Those interested in church art and local history will find both religious imagery and a depiction of a specific historical event here.
Another glimpse into the municipality’s history can be found at La Cúria. The neoclassical building, dating from the late 19th century, was built after several fires. It served as Andratx Town Hall until 1998 and now houses the municipal library. Son Mas and La Cúria are therefore two buildings with a history as town halls, though they now serve different purposes.
Historic Streets and Walking Routes
The old quarter of Es Pantaleu can be explored along its streets as a walk through Andratx’s past and history. The Torre de So na Gaiana, a freestanding defensive tower from the 15th century, is located there. Its entrance portal and some original windows have been preserved. The Ruta del Pariatge is another option for a short walk through the historic centre. This circular route takes you past historic buildings and streets.
Individual landmarks also tell the story of former entrances to the town. The Creu dels Ullastres is a boundary cross that marks the entrance to the old village of Andratx from the King’s Road to the sea. It once defined the entrance to the Es Pantaleu quarter. The Creu de s'Abeurador is a boundary cross documented since the 16th century. Another historic entrance was the Porta de Sa Murada, an old passageway on Sa Creu Street and one of the entrances to the historic town centre.
Local Life, Market and Art
Andratx is the administrative and cultural centre of its municipality. The town offers shops, restaurants, cultural activities, medical facilities and sports facilities. This may be a factor when choosing where to stay if you want to consider not only individual historic sights but also a wider range of local amenities.
The Wednesday market offers handicrafts, food and drink products, textiles and flowers. Its range brings together arts and crafts and everyday goods, as well as food and flowers. CCA Andratx offers a different focus: the art centre combines a gallery and exhibition spaces with an artist residency programme and a natural setting. The market and art centre thus add two distinct dimensions of local life to the historic buildings.
If you’d like to visit more local destination pages, you’ll find Sant Elm, Port D'andratx and S'arracó here.
For the broader travel overview: Mallorca.
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