Palma de Mallorca, 05th Mar 09

ENJOY WHAT'S FREE ON MALLORCA IN 2009

To help visitors this year get real value from their holiday, Mallorca’s local tourist industry has not only held its prices but also invested in a range of free events, activities, concerts, exhibitions, walks and festivals.

Here are some examples of things visitors can do on Mallorca for FREE:

Tours of Nature Reserves

Experience Mallorca’s rich wildlife, particularly birdlife, flora and fauna at first hand. There are five national parks on Mallorca and most can be visited either individually or via an organised tour. www.infomallorca.net/turismo/informacion/monografico.en.html?cIte=2733

Cabrera Visitors Centre – located on the south east coast in Colonia San Jordi, the centre provides visitors with the opportunity to experience life underwater and see examples of the marine life that you would find in and around Cabrera. http://reddeparquesnacionales.mma.es/en/parques/cabrera

Music

Jazz Voyeur Club, Calle Apuntadores 5, La Lonja, Palma. An offshoot of the island’s annual Jazz Voyeur Festival, the club is open throughout the year and entrance is free. For updated calendar go to: www.jazzvoyeur.com

Hotel Saratoga Jazz Club, Paseo Mallorca 6. Open year round featuring mainly local jazz bands on Thursday and Friday evenings. Free entrance. Information: bluejazz@bluejazz.es .

The International Sa Pobla Jazz Festival will be presenting a range of free jazz concerts this August in the town’s main square. www.ajsapobla.net/jazz.

Torrent de Pareis Summer Concert, Sa Calobra. This spectacular setting provides a splendid backdrop for a choral concert normally held on the first Sunday of July. Further information: www.sanostra.es

Corpus Christi Concerts in patios of Palma’s historic grand townhouses. May/June Palma’s most emblematic townhouses open their gates to the public for guided walks and free concerts. Please check for dates: www.palmavirtual.es

Palma Cathedral Organ Festival – held on the first four Sundays of October. www.catedraldemallorca.org.

33rd Historic Church Organ Recital Week – normally held daily from the first Saturday in October. Recitals are held in various churches around Mallorca.

Further information on all these events available on: www.artescenic.es

Art

Palma’s Nit de Art (Night of Art) – September 17th, an arty “fiesta” when all Palma’s museums and more than 30 art galleries showcase their latest collections. Information: www.turart.es

Yannick & Ben Jakober Foundation – Alcudia. Entrance is free on Tuesdays. Featuring a collection of child portraits from the 16th – 19th century, a sculpture park and rose garden, which is best seen in May. www.fundacionjakober.org.

La Caixa Foundation, Plaza Weyler, Palma. Located on the site of the Grand Hotel. Annual calendar of cultural activities and art exhibitions. www.lacaixa.es/obrasocial

Museum of Spanish Contemporary Art, Calle San Miguel, Palma. Located in the centre of Palma, the visitor can view a permanent and temporary collection of contemporary art from early vanguard to the present day. www.march.es/arte/palma

Castle & Military Museum of Saint Carlos, Ctra. Dic de L’Oest, adjacent to the Port of Palma. A good example of 17th century defence architecture features an arms collection. www.palmavirtual.es

CCA Cultural Centre Andratx. A contemporary art centre opened by the famous Danish gallery owners, Jacob & Patricia Asbaek. www.ccandratx.com

Exhibitions of Local Art – a year round calendar of events featuring local artists is featured on: www.artevision.es

Festivals

Every village and town around the island celebrates national as well as their own local “fiestas” each year. These events are always visual, great fun and entirely free for all the family. Here are some examples:

May 11th, Moors & Christians, Soller. The town re-enacts the battle that took place in 1561 when the town was invaded.

June 24th, St Juan – a celebration of the summer solstice – traditionally bonfires are lit the night before near the sea. The fiesta should carry on throughout the night until sunrise.

June 29th, St Pere – is the patron saint of fishermen. Celebrations take place in Palma and Alcudia where processions of boats come into the town from the sea.

August 2nd, Moors & Christians, Pollensa. In celebration of the battle of townspeople by Joan Mas against the Dragut, the Corsair. Liberal quantities of strong alcoholic liquor “mesclat” are drunk during this fiesta.

August 16th, Sant Roc – the villages of Alaró & Porreres – a week of celebrations culminating in a spectacular “Correfoc” – a running fireworks display of fire throwing “devils”, “dragons” and “demons” throughout the village.

Last week of September – La Vermada de Binnissalem. This wine harvest culminates in an open air supper throughout the village with local wine and a typical noodle soup dish.

“Dijous Bo”, Inca; third Thursday of November, this fair is one of the largest on the island with produce and livestock competitions, musical recitals and sporting events.

Sanctuaries, Hermitages & Castles

Mallorca has many historic landmarks here are some examples of the most famous:

“Ermita de la Victoria”, Alcudia, the hermitage dates back to the 14th century. It now features a hostal with accommodation and a restaurant.

Oratory of Calvari, Pollensa. This oratory dates back to 1795 and can be accessed on foot via 365 steps.

Lluc Sanctury – is a pilgrimage centre with a church, accommodation, restaurants and bars in the grounds of the Lluc Monastery.

Further information down load this brochure: www.infomallorca.net/turismo/informacion/guia.en.html?cIte=7166

Walks

Architectural Walks Around Palma & Bellver Castle – the latest edition features four itineraries in the city’s historic centre and a visit to Bellver Castle. The brochure provides an outline description of Palma’s most interesting landmarks. For a free copy please contact: info@fomentmallorca.org

Walks along Ancient Stone Paths - These paths run mainly through old bridle ways close to the higher peaks of the Tramuntana mountain range. Eventually the route will total a 150 kms of pathways and will join the southern end of the Tramuntana range at Andratx with the northern end at Pollenca. www.conselldemallorca.net/mediambient/pedra

New Cultural Website
A new multi lingual website has been launched providing up to date information on a wide variety of activities and events throughout the island year round. The website offers suggestions for cultural tours and provides a list of “Top Ten” itineraries. www.balearsculturaltour.es

For further information, please contact:
Mallorca Tourist Board, Dominique Carroll / Anna Skidmore,
Tel:(+34) 971 725 396 Fax: (+34) 971 713 540
E-Mail: info@fomentmallorca.org

Further Press Releases:

FIVE NEW HOTEL OPENINGS IN MALLORCA SPRING – SUMMER 2013 (31st May 13)

GOOD NEWS FOR MALLORCA IN 2012 (09th Feb 12)

THREE KINGS - THE FESTIVITIES CONTINUE! (05th Jan 12)