- Address: Spain, Mallorca Island, MA-1130, 07170 Valldemossa
- Ticket price: 4 euros
In Mallorca, in the beautiful village of Valdemos , which is in Serra de Tramuntana , near the city of Palma (20 kilometers to the north), the great attraction is the Carthusian Monastery (Valldemossa Charterhouse).
History of the Carthusian Monastery
The Carthusian monastery of Valdemossa was built in the fifteenth century as the residence of King Sancho the First. Right next to the palace is a church, a garden and cells, where the monks lived. Over time, the complex was expanded and turned into a monastery. The Gothic church was built in the second half of the eighteenth century, then towers and a baroque altar arose, dedicated to St. Bartholomew.
Since the guests in the monastery were not welcomed, the main gate of the temple was eventually walled up. The harsh rules punished brothers to keep fasting, silence and solitude. Day and night the brothers spent in prayer. And they also worked in the garden, produced wine and sold ice, which was brought from the mountains.
In 1836, the Carthusian Monastery was sold into private hands and apartments for tourists were arranged there. The most famous person who visited the palace and for several months lived in the monastery was the composer Frederic Chopin. He fell ill and in the winter of 1838 came from Paris to look for a mild climate in Mallorca to improve his health. Together with him lived his beloved George Sand, the famous French writer.
What to see in the monastery of Valdemossa?
Today in the former monastery there is a museum dedicated to Chopin, the entrance to the museum costs € 3.5. There you can see the cells where the composer lived. In two cells you can see souvenirs left over from the three-month visit of the famous composer: the scores of the preludes he created here, letters, the manuscript "Winter in Mallorca" and two pianos.
Every summer there are classical music concerts devoted to the work of Frederic Chopin.
The attraction includes 3 buildings and a terrace overlooking the picturesque olive groves. In the old pharmacy of monks you can find historical artifacts, a variety of jars and bottles. In the library, along with priceless books, you can admire the beautiful antique ceramics.
A winding road from the monastery leads north to the rocks. Next to the monastery is the private residence of the Austrian Archduke Ludwig Salvator (1847-1915), who devoted himself to travel and botanical research. His manor in Mallorca has turned into a nature reserve.
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