Santa Maria del Cami, Mallorca, Things to do and see, hotels, market

Wrapped in duvets of almond groves and vineyards, you will find the charming oasis of Santa Maria del Cami, not far from Palma.

Santa Maria del Cami has enough appeal to serve as a base for a wonderful holiday, but also for an adventurous half-day trip in Mallorca’s sunny terrain.

The city combines the vibrant café life of the larger cities with the laid-back charm of the countryside, and you are slowly seduced into falling into the heart of it all.

location of santa maria del cami marked on map of mallorca island

SANTA MARIA DEL CAMÍ WEATHER

Things to do

Things to do and see in Santa Maria del Cami

Santa Maria offers a lot of cultural heritage to explore and delve into, but also a wonderful and diversified nature to explore and b seduced by.

VISIT ONE OF THE MANY WINERIES

If you like a good glass of wine and want the taste of authenticity, then you’re in luck, because here in Santa Maria you are in the middle of the biggest Mallorcan wine district. Indulge in the exquisite taste of more than 300 years of wine making experience served in its natural element on the Mallorcan countryside. Choose from more than 10 wineries to visit and get exclusive tours with tastings, education and unique insights. Also, don’t forget the annual wine festival in Santa Maria in November where the new wines are celebrated.

A few suggestions would be:

DISCOVER THE CULTURAL HERITAGE OF SANTA MARIA

Walking through the streets of Santa Maria reveals the long and interesting history of the town. There is a great range of beautiful buildings to see, each carrying a brick of the local soul in the walls. Explore the impressive parish church, the old convent of the minims, the town hall or the modernist work of Can Mort. There are also plenty of wonderful eateries and bars found in the streets, perfect for a refreshment in authentic settings.

THE OLD INN

Although this inn must have already been there in the 18th or 19th century, its current appearance is 20th-century. That is when it was done up, and acquired its current regionalist-style physiognomy.

CA’S APOTEKARI

A late 19th-century dwelling in the style of a manor house. Today it has been converted into an interpretation centre for museum items and a centre for economic re-activation and revitalization, as well as a centre for the promotion and preservation of local heritage. It hosts temporary and permanent exhibitions. One can visit the old apothecary’s shop and Cas Frares mosaic room.

SA SINIA

An old well that dates from 1672. Its origins lie in the prehistoric period. It’s an old well connected with livestock transhumance. It remained in use throughout the period of Islamic rule and subsequently. The Gothic arcades -demolished in 1932- and the well-neck were built by Master Xorba, amongst others. In 1992 the arcades were restored, and thereby the well recovered its original physiognomy.

EXPLORE THE COANEGRE VALLEY

In the north-western part of the municipality you can find the valley of Coanegre, connecting Santa Maria, Bunyola and Alaró. The valley offers a diversified wildlife of vegetation, flowers and animals living in perfect harmony. Following a trail from the outskirts of Santa Maria, you will pass some of the historical properties in the area impossible not to be taken by, the many olive, almond and carob fields which get their water from the torrent of Coanegre, as well as the pine and oak forests. In the Coanegre valley, you will discover beautiful natural waterfalls and natural caves more than 150 m deep. This is a great place to walk and trek in Santa Maria, and you can continue to the picturesque valley of Orient.

Where to stay

Best places to stay in Santa Maria del Cami

santa-maria-mallorca-cami-agroturismo-farm

Finca Agroturismo Sarbosar

Nothing makes body and mind relax like a walk in the countryside, so why not enjoy a stay at Finca Agroturismo Sarbosar, located in scenic surroundings just north of Santa Maria del Cami. Staying at the holiday farm gives you optimal conditions for an active holiday, whether it is hiking, cycling, golf or other sports, you have the best setting for perfect relaxation.

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finca hotel and manor holiday in santa maria del cami mallorca

Finca es Cabas

Finca es Cabas is a unique accommodation in Santa Maria del Cami. The finca offers great facilities, stylish décor and a privileged location with beautiful views of mountains and countryside. At Finca es Cabas you can enjoy a game of tennis, get a wellness massage and completely disconnect by the large pool and terrace. The finca is close to the village and thus close to all the excellent restaurants that Santa Maria has to offer.

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Market & Events

Markets & Events

Weekly Market in Santa Maria del Cami

One of the most traditional and most popular markets in Mallorca, is the Santa Maria market, held every Sunday morning in the Plaça Nova. The market is a great opportunity to sample some of the delicious local produce of the area, such as varies fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, herbs, oils, meats, cheeses and pastries. But also a wide selection of nonfood articles are available at the market, like ceramics, crafts, shoes, clothes, accessories and jewelry.

The market has different sections to browse, for example the organic produce section, the secondhand section and the art section. Yes, certainly there is something for everyone.

Fairs & Festivities in Santa Maria

Throughout the year you can experience some wonderful traditional festivities in Santa Maria.

January

Sant Antoni

The celebration of Sant Antoni happens in many Mallorcan towns, as he is the protector of animals. In Santa Maria, Sant Antoni is celebrated on January 17 with a great party. During the day and evening, you can experience the traditional dancing demons trying to lurk people into temptation, bonfires, fire runs, fireworks, dancing and musical performances of typical Mallorcan style. There’s also food and wine where typical Mallorcan specialties are served in the streets, such as sobrassada sausage, lamb, pastries, paella and local wines. Also, during the day you can see pets being blessed in front of the church, it is such an adorable sight.

February

Sa Rua (Carnival)

The carnival marks Fat Thursday, the last Thursday before Lent. The streets of Santa Maria are adorned in all colours of the rainbow, and parades of creative costumes are everywhere. At the carnival, you can also sample some traditional Mallorcan specialties such as the ensaimada covered with sobrassada and candied pumpkin and roasted sardines.

April

Holy Week

Holy Week is the period between Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday. In this period, a range of processions takes place in Santa Maria that you can attend.

Angel Sunday

The first Sunday after Easter is known as “Angel Sunday” , where sanctuaries arranges pilgrimages and celebrations with masses and launches. In Santa Maria, the locals walk to the chapel of Son Seguí accompanied by giants. Giants are 3 meter tall costumes, traditional for Mallorcan culture.

Sa Fira (The Fair)

The last Sunday of April is dedicated to fun and activities when Sa Fira is held in Santa Maria del Cami. During the day you can enjoy various exhibitions, competitions, parades and performances. The evening is dedicated to fire runs, art exhibitions and fireworks. There will also be held a market, served traditional foods and held workshops. Sa Fira is a joyful event for everyone to enjoy, and a great way to indulge in Mallorcan traditions.

May

The giants of Santa Maria

The first Saturday of May is in the name of the famous Mallorcan giants. The giants represent characters of from the book Fables and Legends of Santa Maria by Monsignor Josep Capó and Juan and Mateu Morro i Marcé. The male is known as “The Banished” and the female giant is known as “Maria of Coanegre”. Along with these two giant figures, a parade of giant heads made of papier-mâché dances through town. The giant figures were made in 2007 by artist, Mariano “Kake” Portas and his wife.

May

The giants of Santa Maria

July

Fiesta de Santa Margalida (St. Margaret)

On July 20th, the patron saint of Santa Maria del Cami is celebrated with a big party. The day is full of fun activities and folk games where villagers compete in various competitions. The entire town is full of music and dancing, activities and food, and the best thing is, everyone is welcome.

November

Festa del Vi Novell

The Festival of the New Wine of Santa Maria is held in November, a must attend event for gastro and wine losers. The festival is held on the last Saturday of November, and is dedicated to the celebration of the arrival of the new wine. At the wine festival, you can taste the product of this year’s harvest while learning about the wine. The wineries teams up with some of the restaurants in Santa Maria to serve tapas and pinchos for the wine.

December

Christmas celebrations

Christmas is a wonderful and jolly time, and in Santa Maria this is not any different. The days up to Christmas, there is a special Christmas market, charity events, Christmas concerts, tours, workshops and exhibitions. In Santa Maria, it is tradition to made almond milk during the Christmas time.

Facts & History

About Santa Maria del Cami

History of Santa Maria

The area has been inhabited by humans since the talayotic culture on the Balearic islands (2,000 BC). Some of the most recent founds has been done in the local area of Cabàs, where 30 skeletons and some ceramics were found in the Cova de Sor Tomassa and Cova des Moro in 1903. Also discovered in the area of es Cabàs, was the talatyot of Claper des Doblers. Multiple founds have been done in the area, including a massive burial site in the Ses Fontanelles area.

The Romans conquered Mallorca 123 BC, led by general Quintus Caecilius Metellu. The Romans established two major city areas; Palmera and Pollen-tia, and connected the two by a road passing through the areas of Santa Maria and Consell. Coins and fragments of ceramics has been found in the area, however, research shows that there was more Roman occupation in the area of Consell.

In 1833, a great discovery was done of a Paleochristian basilica of Cas Frares between Santa Maria and Consell. The excavation works revealed a paved mosaic with figures of biblical characters. It has been determined that the basilica dates back from the 5th century.

The Moorish era brought water transportation and watering systems to Mallorca. The construction of karizes allowed to the Moors to extract water from the mountains and lead it towards the farms from where they could collect it using wells. Several ceramics and constructions evidences the presence of the Moors, but also the farmhouses in the area documented in the Book of Distribution written after the Catalan conquest of the island, to declare the ownership of the lands. Some of the best examples of Islamic properties are those of Cas Frares, Son Torrella, Son Verdera and Cabàs.

Following the conquest of Mallorca (1229-1232), king Jaume I distrubuted the lands of Mallorca to those who had participated in the campaign. The area of Santa Maria and Santa Eugènia was given to Bernat de Santa Eugènia, bishop of Tarragon. The name of Santa Eugènia was later given to the village in his respect. From the beginning of the 14th century, a few small local communituies started to form, especially one in the Coanegre valley (north of Santa Maria). The population quickly grew to about 700 people in the middle of the 14th century. However, the plague of 1348 caused a serious decrease, especially in the Coanegra valley which was more or less completely extinguished. The epidemic explains the massive change in surnames of landowners in the area from this time.

As with most other areas of the Raiguer region, Santa Maria was affected by the Revolta Forana (Revolt of the Foreigners) between 1450 and 1453. The fact that foreigner was an expression used of the small landowners and peasants, very well stated how society was split in classes. This exact fact was the initial reason for the revolt. The small landowners felt neglected and without influence versus the nobles and horsemen who widely controlled how things were to be, and especially who paid what in taxes. Blood was shed all over the Mallorcan countryside in those years, but in the end it was the nobles and cavaliers who won.

The conflicts, however, was not settled yet. About 70 years later, in 1520, the movement of the Germanies saw the light of the day. The Germanies movement had its origin in the artisans’ guilds, and unlike the Revolta Forana, this was a far more organized revolt that included peasants of the entire island. During this conflict, we know that the Germanies had control of the Coanegre valley, from where they could assault merchants and nobles. The conflict ended in 1523, when the king of Aragón had enough and sent over his royal troops to fight the Germanies.

During the 17th century, the town start to take form. In 1620, the first school is established and in 1670, the building for town hall, jail, slaughter and courtroom was purchased and inaugurated. Also, the convent and church of the Minims was established in 1682. Both town hall and convent is credited to the Mallorcan architect Lluc Mesquida. The minims of Santa Maria were early proponents of the vegan lifestyle, they dissociated themselves from products and foods made from animals. Actually, almond milk is documented in 1690. A couple of days before Christmas, the Minims put a mill for grinding available for the people of Santa Maria, today, this mill is preserved in the town hall.

The population continued to grow, at this time there was about 500 people living in Santa Maria and Santa Eugènia. From this period, we also know of the establishment of a cavalry to guard and protect the municipality. The cavalry was owned and ran by Captain and Governor Jaume d’Olesa, whom was also the owner of the Son Seguí hermitage. Olesa was supporter of Felip V during the War of Succession, as a consequence, French soldiers occupied Santa Maria and endured great losses, thus Olesa was defeated. In 1796, the cavalry building was sold to nobles.

Following the fall of the Olesa family, Joan Sureda, marquis of Vivot and Antoni Cotoner, marquis of Ariany, owned the biggest of the farms and fincas in the area, thus controlling most of the municipality.

In the 19th century, the population continued to grow. The economy was mainly based on wine production and agrarian cultivation of olives, cereals, almonds, figs etc.. In 1817, there were almost 400 owners of vineyards. The opening of the railway connection in 1875 allowed for more sales and increased the living standards significantly in Santa Maria. In 1890, the town council agreed to have the first telephone operator installed. In 1898, the Sunday market was inaugurated.

The wine industry was undoubtedly the most profitable and continued to grow each year, until 1891 when an epidemic of phylloxera broke out causing all vineyards to be destroyed.

In the 20th century, the agricultural industries starts to really flourish in Santa Maria, but also other industries such as textile production, blacksmiths and carpenters were needed. With the introduction of electricity in 1912, production ratios increased significantly in most sectors, but also the use of gas engines in flour mills and sawmills was a part of the increased production. In this period the urban nucleus developed in a fast pace with new streets opening every year.

It seemed as if Santa Maria was facing a new and dynamic societal structure, but with the Civil War and later the introduction of mass tourism, Santa Maria saw a remarkable reduction in income. The Franco regime caused isolation and banned unions of workers, as well as the forming of political parties. Later on, the tourism industry demanded a whole different set of skills.