Manacor is one of the largest towns on Majorca. It is
situated in a flat zone at the feet of a mountain range
known as "Serra de Llevant". In 1300 King Jaime II
founded the town on what were the remains of a Muslim
settlement. The first industry of the region, besides
tourism, is the production and export of furniture and
pearls. As for the cultural attractions of the town, and
as happens in other places, these are concentrated in
the oldest built up areas. Here in the old quarters, as
in most other towns, is the most ancient built -up area.
In the "Plaza del Mercado" (square) the parish of "Santa
María" (late Gothic style) is found the worshipped image
of the "Cristo Crucificado", which according to popular
belief arrived by sea to Porto Cristo after a frightful
storm.
Other interesting sites are: "La capilla del Rosario"
(parish), the "Claustro de San Vicente Ferrer"
(cloister), the tower of "Ses Puntes" (a fortified house
of the 14th century) and the "Caserío de los Puig"
(manor). Also worth a visit is the Municipal
Archaeological Museum. The port of Manacor is named
Porto Cristo and is situated on the coast 13km away from
the town. In the past it was a fishing port whose
origins are dated back in the 12th century. Today it is
a flourishing tourist centre, which besides the
attractive beaches is famous for the natural caves of "Drach"
and "Hams". These two natural caves have given the
locality worldwide celebrity. There is a natural lake
within the Drach Caves in Which musicians perform
concerts while moving along the lake in boats. |
