- Address: Castell de Capdepera, Capdepera, Spain
- Phone: +34 971 55 64 79
Resting in Mallorca , if you only have free time, be sure to visit the ancient Castle of Capdeper, located in the homonymous city, 2.5 km from the coast, at 130-meter height.
In addition to the fact that Capdepera (Mallorca) is a historic landmark, it also offers a beautiful view of the strait separating Mallorca from Menorca.
A bit of history
The history of Capdepera as a fortress began as far back as the 10th century. It was then that the Moors erected a fortification on the mountain, on the slopes of which the local residents had been living since ancient times (until now only the lower part of one of the towers has been preserved).
In 1229 Majorca was captured by the troops of King Jaime I. A year later, it was in the tower, partially preserved to this day, and an agreement was signed, according to which Menorca also became the possession of the King of Aragon. Today it is the main tower of the Castle of Capdepera. It is located just below the top. Visually, it is divided into two parts: the lower square (this is the remains of Moorish construction) and the upper conical, which was completed in the XIX century.
His son, Jaime II, in 1300, began construction of a new fortress - yes, the Castle of Capdeper would be more properly called a fortress, since there was a settlement of 50 houses on the fortification territory. Thus, residents were protected from regularly attacking the island of pirates.
Initially it was planned that about 200 people will live on the territory of the fortress, but in time their number increased, and by the end of the XVI century more than a hundred houses were already outside the fortress.
At the beginning of the 18th century, the defense system of the island was reorganized, and pirate raids ceased; from that moment the population moved beyond the fortress, and only the garrison remained in its walls.
By the middle of the XIX century the castle of Capdepera fell into decay; a little more than two hundred years it was abandoned. At the end of the XX century the castle became the municipal property of the town of Capdepera and was restored.
Fortress today
Having risen in the castle, first of all it is necessary to admire the surroundings - hence the town and the strait around it are clearly visible. In the fortress, too, there is something to see.
This is the house of the governor, in which the castle museum is now located, and the main tower, built on top of the preserved part of the Moorish building, and the strategic water reserve, and the preserved House of the Lady near the tower of the same name.
And, of course, the church of Virginia de la Esperanza, located at the highest point of the castle territory. This church was originally just a chapel, was later rebuilt into a church and dedicated to St. John. In the 18th century the church was completed several times (the changes made are quite clearly visible), making it not only religious, but also a fortification: its roof was used as a sentinel and artillery pad. Its modern name was given to the church when it was re-illuminated in 1871. You can climb to its roof and even ring bells.
When to visit?
Castle castell de Capdepera is open daily (except 1.01, 6.01 and 25.12) from 9am; "Working" day lasts in the winter to 17-00, in the summer - until 19-00. The cost of the visit is 3 euros.
Some interesting facts
- To visit the fortress in the summer is better in the morning or in the evening - it will be too hot in the daytime.
- Parking the car (it can be rented ) is better below - the streets adjacent to the fortress are too narrow.
- In the fortress works an exhibition devoted to local wickerwork made of palm leaves.
- Sometimes here you can watch the falconry.
- In the castle works museum owls (only until 14-00); the cost of his visit is +1 euro to the cost of admission ticket
- Nearby there is a lighthouse on the headland, which you can not visit - but near it you can admire the beautiful views.
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