Two Towns, One Name

The Serra Tramuntana mountain range in the northtowns came in 1911 when a railway route running
west of Mallorca is certainly an attractive area thatfrom Palma in the south of the island to Soller town
attracts tourists and walkers throughout the season.was completed. At the time this was a tremendous
Capped with snow during the off-season, hidingaccomplishment as the track passed through no less
warm summer valleys during the summer and alwaysthan thirteen tunnels ranging in length from just 30
offering spectacular views, the Tramuntanametres to almost 3 kilometres. The winding curves
Mountains are, for many, the most beautiful part ofand steep inclines that the track followed were class
Mallorca.leading at the time for an electric railway. Now,
Before the advent of some modern day routes, thealmost 100 years later, the train service is still running
Soller towns could only be accessed by boat and theand is one of the best ways of appreciating the
large natural harbour at Soller port made it the idealbeauty of Mallorca and understanding how the
haven for fishing boats to be based and for sailorsislanders went about their business in older times. The
en route to other destinations to moor up for theoriginal impetus for the line was Soller's success in
night. Even the Romans spent time in Soller duringgrowing oranges and the need to provide a better
their occupation of the island. The harbour at Sollerway of transporting the fruits to the capital. Before
was always a strategic location and defences built tothe railway there was just the arduous road journey
protect it in the sixteenth century can still be seen.over the Sierra de Alfabia or the Soller pass. The
Today the marina at Port de Soller is the base fortrain service still uses the original rolling stock which
just a few of traditional fishing craft but also thewas built in Loughborough in the UK. A long road
base for some impressive yachts and luxury motortunnel has removed the need for vehicles to journey
boats. From the port tourists can take one of theover the pass, but the original road remains and is a
many cruises on offer and explore the dramaticgreat route for those who want to appreciate the
coastlines of the island, including perhaps a cruise tohistory and scenery it provides.
the port of Sa Colobra and the nearby outlet of theAll this transport engineering has been a large
Torrent de Pareis Gorge, a popular walking route.investment for the island but ensured the future of
Soller town is a small community around 2 miles inlandSoller and both the town and port are thriving
from the port along a natural valley. The tripcommunities with tourism providing a replacement for
between the 2 towns is covered quickest by drivingthe previous commercial activity of farming and fruit
by car after the recent construction of a new tunnelgrowing. Outdoor pursuits of sailing, cycling and
to ease the traffic congestion that used to spoilwalking bring many visitors to Majorca and Soller. The
access, but by far the best way of making the trip isfamous GR221, an internationally recognized hiking
on the traditional tram car system that was built inroute starts in Soller and ventures its way up to the
1913 and traces a route through the streets of Sollerhigh plains and peaks of the Tramuntana range. The
initially before diverting onto it's own dedicated track.two Soller towns are both great for a short daytime
Even today some of the original tram cars make upvisit or a longer stay, with a wide range of bustling
the rolling stock. The tram service to the port runscafes and restaurants to choose from.
twice every hour and the cost of a single trip is justIt doesn't matter if you get there by train, boat, bus
4 Euros.or car, the twin towns of Soller are a perfect place
The other transport breakthrough for the Sollerto visit during a stay on Mallorca.