Castell de Sant Elm

Castell de Sant Elm was one of the first buildings erected by King Jaume I in Mallorca, after the conquest of the island in 1229.

Castell de Sant Elm was erected in 1279, 50 years after the actual conquest. The original purpose of the construction was to serve as a hospital for the new Christian communities that started to form in the villages on the southwest.

In the period between the 15th and 17th centuries, the building stopped functioning as a hospital and became a military bastion and prison.

The observation tower was added in the middle of the 16th century as a response to the increasing attacks on the island from corsairs arriving from North Africa. The tower communicated via smoke signals to other towers located around the coastline, such as Torre des Cap Andritxol and Torre de Cala en Basset.

In 1868, famous adventurer Ludwig Salvatore acquired the Castell de Sant Elm along with the estates of Son Marroig (Deià) and Monestir de Miramar (Valldemossa).

Today, Castell de Sant Elm is a charming finca hotel, surrounded by wonderful nature and authentic atmosphere, looking out over the bay of Sant Elm.