A Stroll through the Most Enchanting "Possessions" in Mallorca
A "possessió" in Mallorca is defined as the lands where there is a large house with various rooms, dedicated to the exploitation of natural resources, whether it be crops or livestock. These estates were not only used for economic purposes but also played a role in organizing the territory and structuring society. The owner and their family lived in these houses, along with the workers responsible for the lands and animals.
According to several researchers, Mallorcan possessions originated from pre-existing Muslim farmsteads and rafals. As the 15th and 16th centuries progressed, the term "possessió" became more widespread and soon became officially fixed to designate lands worth more than 1000 lliures. Lands valued below this amount were referred to as rafals and sorts.
During the peak era of possessions in Mallorca, the island boasted up to 1300 buildings of this kind. Today, only a few dozen remain, with many of them being private. However, there are others that can still be visited.
The most charming “possessions” in Mallorca that are open to visitors.
They typically share a similar typology: a collection of houses, including the lord's house, dwellings for the workers, storage facilities, buildings dedicated to animals or lands, and the actual farmlands.
- -Els Calderers is a possession located in the municipality of Sant Joan, very close to Villafranca and the center of the island. It is the most important and largest in the interior of Mallorca.
- Historical records indicate its origins date back to the 13th century, but it wasn't until five centuries later that the buildings were constructed in their current form.
- It is a spectacular ensemble where visitors can explore the chapel, hall, hunting room, dining room, and bedrooms, all maintaining the furniture and decoration from the 18th century, providing a very accurate glimpse into Mallorcan life at that time.
- -Raixa Estate has Arabic origins and is located near the entrance of Bunyola, a village at the foot of the Tramuntana mountain range. This property is particularly interesting because it was transformed by Cardinal Antonio Despuig, gradually turning it into a typical Italian-style estate. It features a wonderful transformation of its gardens and even an authentic Platonic ascent that emulates, at each stop, the philosopher's journey toward wisdom.
- -Miramar is an ancient monastery in the municipality of Valldemossa, along the road leading to Deià, offering breathtaking views of Mallorca. The estate dates to 1276 when Ramón Llull founded the monastery to teach Arabic and other languages with the aim of converting Muslims to Christianity.
- Centuries later, Archduke Luis Salvador purchased the complex and turned it into what it is today: a marvelous space with the finest gardens and a cloister with 13th-century Gothic arches that the archduke had transported from the convent of Santa Margarita in Palma.
Mallorca is brimming with magical and intriguing places to explore, especially during the cooler months of autumn. If you're eager to discover them, don't miss reading this entry.
