One of the symbols of the town of Pollença is the Calvario mountain, a former Templar enclave. Its staircase of 365 steps, ends at the Calvary oratory of the eighteenth century. Nowadays, a series of sculptures by the Mallorcan artist Joan Bennassar appear along the Calvario de Pollença staircase.
With a network of narrow streets and medieval air, surrounding the parish church of Nuestra Señora del Angels, Templars, Jesuits and Dominicans have left their mark on buildings that are also emblematic of this town. For example, the old convent of Santo Domingo (17th century), which houses the Museum of Pollença and its cloister where the annual Pollença Music Festival is held.
Walking through its streets, will take you to its history, its traditions and if you want, to know its folklore. The giants of Pollença, Toni and Maria Angels, representatives of craftsmanship and culture, will lead you through ancestral traditions.
On the outskirts of the village, in the valley of Ternelles, is the enigmatic Castell del Rei (King's Castle). It is one of the three rock castles in Mallorca. On the top of a mountain at 492 metres above sea level, it has been part of the history of Mallorca: In Roman times it was already used as a fortification. Later, the Muslims used it to protect themselves from the invasion of James I, King of the Crown of Aragon, during the conquest of Mallorca in 1229. Later, in the middle of the 14th century, it became the last stronghold of those loyal to King James III of Majorca after its annexation by Peter the Ceremonious to the Crown of Aragon.
Note: Our thanks to the Town Hall of Pollença for the cession of this interesting photo of the Castell del Rei taken by Hans Monheim.
Date of construction of the Calvary steps?
Good afternoon Pedro,
The staircase was mostly built between the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. Flanked by cypress trees and 14 three-metre high crosses, it has 365 steps, one for each day of the year. At the top is the oratory, which was built at the end of the 18th century and restored in the 1970s. Inside the oratory is the sculptural group of Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary at his feet, attributed to the 14th century and which, according to tradition, was found by fishermen near Cala San Vicente, in Pollença. It is also well known for the procession that takes place every Good Friday, the Davallament (Descent from the Cross), a silent procession illuminated by torches, in which the descent of Christ is staged and carried down the steps to the church of Our Lady of the Angels. Don't miss it if you pass by!
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