Real Cartuja

Real Cartuja de Valldemossa (Royal Charterhouse of Valldemossa) is the overall trademark of the charming area

The palace was built by king Jaume II in the beginning of the 14th century, for his son Nuño Sanç who suffered great from asthma. The clean air and mild temperatures of Mallorca’s mountains has always been known to have qualities beneficial to one’s health.

During the 14th century, the palace was used by the royals as a place for hunting.

By the end of the Mallorcan dynasty (1349), the king, Martin the Humane, gave the palace to the Carthusian order.

In 1717, the Carthusian monks began the expansions of both church and monastery.

In 1801, minister of justice, Gaspar Melchor de Jovellanos, was ordered in exile here. However, instead of treating Jovellanos as a prisoner, the monks showed him their natural hospitality. In return of their kindness, Jovellanos helped decorating the church. It is from this time he wrote two of his most famous works; ‘Historia de la Cartuja de Valldemossa’ and ‘Instrucción Pública’.

In 1833, the first Carlist War breaks out in Spain. In order to raise funds to support queen Isabella, prime minister Juan Mendizábel seized all private monasteries all over Spain and sold them to to private investors, whom would be promised shares in the state and great opportunities as landowners.

The Carthusians never found the money to buy back the palace, and the interior of it still points to the private owners who had it in the 1830’s.

The Chopin Museum

Speaking of the 1830’s, we can’t come about the story of Frederic Chopin and George Sand. The winter of 1838/39, Chopin and Sand traveled to Mallorca because of Chopin’s lung decease. They stayed in a cell in the palace, but when the local community fount out they were not married, they were no longer welcome in Valldemossa. From here, they fled to the small hermitage ‘Ermita de Valldemossa’, on the mountainsides near the coastline.

That winter became one of the most important periods of Chopin’s career. Also, George Sand wrote her famous work ‘A winter in Mallorca’ here.

Inside the charterhouse, in cell no 5, you can visit the Chopin museum. This is where Chopin and Sand stayed, and where many of their personal items are now exhibited including some of their works and Chopin’s piano.

Pictures of Real Cartuja

Get directions to the Real Cartuja monastery in Valldemossa

Valldemossa is renown for its irresistible charm and warmth that keeps dragging you in even though you have been here 100 times before, a special kind of magic. The area carries a long and rich heritage evidenced in the old Trinitat hermitage, the Miramar convent, the royal palace and the old urban core and church, however, in modern age it was the visit by Frederik Chopin and George Sand that gave fame to this village found in the most adorning valley deep in the mountains. There are a number of interesting attractions to see in Valldemossa, as well as a series of annual traditions celebrated with dances, parades and festivities for everyone.

Valldemossa hotels, things to do

More Points of Interest and things to do in Valldemossa

Monestir de Miramar, famous old hermitage

Birthplace of Mallorcan saint, Catalina Tomas

Old urban core

Sant Bartomeu parish church

Coll Bardolet art exhibition

Ermita de Santissima Trinitat

Other monasteries and convents to visit in Mallorca