Palma de Mallorca, 29th Jun 11

MALLORCA’S SIERRA TRAMUNTANA WINS UNESCO BID

This week the world UNESCO committee declared the Sierra Tramuntana one of its new natural world heritage sites as an exceptional example of the Mediterranean’s agricultural landscape, history and culture.

Since the bid was launched early last year, over 20,000 people signed the local government’s petition to push the bid through including international celebrities such as actor, Michael Douglas.

The Sierra Tramuntana is 90 km long with a maximum height of 1,445m at the Puig Major Mountain and stretches from Andratx in the south west to the Cap de Formentor in the far north of the island. The area is rich in flora and fauna where many endemic animal and plant life species thrive.

One of its unique factors is the historic combination of Islamic and Western cultures demonstrated by the ancient irrigation systems dating back to the Arab occupation of Mallorca which still survive today and the distinctive hillside stone terraces specifically constructed to overcome the harsh environment of the natural landscape and make a productive agricultural space mainly for the cultivation of olives.

The announcement by UNESCO means that more funds will be made available to ensure that the preservation campaign is continued and expanded so that agricultural areas are maintained.

Ruta de Pedra en Sec
The ongoing restoration of dry stone walls, paths and refuges offering shelter to hikers and is called the “Ruta de Pedra en Sec” (Dry Stone Wall Route) and runs along the entire length of the mountain range. The route is divided in eight stages, and each stage will have its own refuge when the restoration project is complete. To date there are two refuges at Tossals Verds & Muleta.

Challenging Cycling
The Sierra Tramuntana is extremely popular with cyclists and provides plenty of challenging rides which is why so many international cycling teams train in Mallorca including Sir Chris Hoy, Bradley Wiggins and three times Tour de France champion, Alberto Contador, who trained in Mallorca earlier this year with the Saxo Bank SunGaard cycling team.

New Initiatives
Further to the UNESCO announcement, a range of initiatives will be implemented to assist in the global preservation of the area including the restriction of motorised transport, an ongoing forest fire awareness campaign, opening up of private paths and walkways to the public, support to local farmers in order to maintain agricultural land, ongoing support to wildlife campaigns such as the highly successful conservation of the black vulture, promotion of local traditional produce and the production of a guide to the local flora and fauna.

Further information: www.serradetramuntana.net.

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:

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

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

FESTIVE SWEETS CAN BE HEAVENLY (05th Jan 12)