| If it's a historical break you're after during your | | | | items such as articles crafted from palm fibres and |
| Majorca holiday then you're sure to find the ancient | | | | Majorcan textiles. In the second part you'll find natural |
| town of Arta does not disappoint. | | | | history artefacts such as fossils and insects, while the |
| The settlement is situated in the north-east of the | | | | third section features pottery, bronze items and |
| island in a valley at the bottom of the Serres de | | | | bone, as well as other archaeological finds. |
| Llevant Mountains and has a strong heritage in fishing. | | | | Another big draw for tourists on holiday in Majorca is |
| The majority of boats now present in the region's | | | | the caves of Arta. The caverns were formed by |
| harbour, however, are for leisure use. | | | | water corrosion 150 feet above sea level at Cap |
| Book your stay at a villa in Mallorca close to the | | | | Vermell and consist of chambers with names such as |
| region to delve deep into its history and take in | | | | Purgaturio, Paradisio and Inferno. Thought to have |
| sights such as caves, antique buildings and ruins dating | | | | originally been used by hermit, smugglers and pirates, |
| back to the Bronze Age. | | | | the caves have since been visited by famous writers |
| One of the area's most famous attractions is the | | | | Alexander Dumas, Jules Verne, Victor Hugo, and the |
| Sanctuary of Sant Salvador - a chapel sited at the | | | | actress Sarah Bernhardt, who have all signed the |
| top of the local hills that was built in the 14th century | | | | guestbook book in the entrance. Gaze in awe at the |
| and features walls all around. The walls were added in | | | | many stalagmites throughout the network of |
| the 16th century to defend against pirate attacks | | | | grottos, with the most celebrated being a 22-metre |
| and the chapel itself was extensively restored in the | | | | high Palm Trunk stalagmite in the Salon de la Reina de |
| 1960s. | | | | las Columnas cavern. |
| To reach the walled chapel, you'll have to climb 180 | | | | If you'd like to experience the festival spirit of the |
| steps from the parish church of Transfiguracio, which | | | | region during your stay in a farmhouse in Mallorca, |
| is in itself a historical feature of Arta, established in | | | | why not time your holiday to coincide with some of |
| 1573 and boasting 14 chapels, of which the largest - | | | | the fiestas that take place throughout the year? In |
| the Roser Chapel - houses a Baroque tableau from | | | | January you can take part in the celebration of Sant |
| the 17th century. | | | | Antoni, the patron saint of animals, where locals light |
| From the sanctuary you'll be ale to spot the local | | | | bonfires on which to roast traditional blood sausage |
| ruins of the Talayots de Ses Paises. The | | | | and put on a parade, as well as blessing the town's |
| archaeological site dates back to between 1300 and | | | | animals. |
| 900 BC and consists of two sets of buildings all | | | | If you visit the region in June, you might catch the |
| constructed around a central talayot, or megalithic | | | | festival for Sant Antoni of Padua - otherwise known |
| structure. Archaeologists have suggested the site is | | | | as Saint Antoni of the Apricots - when residents |
| the oldest inhabited part of the island, with life having | | | | perform the Carriage Dance, the Dance of the |
| been present there for more than 3,000 years. The | | | | Dwarves and the Dance of the Indians using hobby |
| ruins have been well-preserved, so take a stroll | | | | horses. Also in June is the celebration of the region's |
| around to experience the ancient monument for | | | | patron saint - Sant Pere, who is also the patron saint |
| yourself. | | | | of fishermen. The main parade takes place at the |
| After a busy day of exploring, travel back to your | | | | harbour where you'll find the locals have decorated |
| farmhouse in Mallorca for a well-earned rest before | | | | their boats to mark the occasion. |
| embarking on further exploration of the town. You | | | | Travel to Arta in August and enjoy the fiesta of |
| might like to visit the Betlem Hermitage, which is | | | | Sant Salvador, which sees the region put on a host |
| situated on what was once the Ferrutx estate and | | | | of activities, from races up and down the sanctuary |
| can be found about ten kilometres from the centre | | | | steps, to watermelon eating contests. The following |
| of Arta. | | | | month make sure you don't miss the Summer Fair, |
| Established in 1805, the hermitage is still in use today | | | | where you can pick up locally-made handicrafts and |
| by hermits who farm in the local area. | | | | watch horse-racing. |
| Next, why not take in the Regional Museum of Arta? | | | | Whenever you book your holiday to Majorca, you're |
| Founded in 1927, the attraction is spread over three | | | | sure to find Arta is unmissable for its historical |
| different sections, with the first housing ethnological | | | | heritage. |