The Serra de Tramuntana, the imposing Majorcan mountain range, with unrivalled scenery and natural mystery, is the protagonist of the third route.
The island’s backbone is 90 kilometres long from Dragonera to Formentor, emerging from the sea to create romantic cliffs and small pebbled coves. The whole sierra acts as a natural protective barrier against the fearsome northern wind called ‘La Tramuntana’.
Majorca’s landscape varies depending on the geological formations and the Serra de Tramuntana is exalted and unmistakable thanks to its valley, peaks and caves, with the Torrent de Pareis gorge a unique spectacle in the setting.
During the trip, you will circle the sierra, starting inland with two Raiguer villages: Binissalem and Lloseta. There is a good road system to both, on which you the same imposing backdrop will be your constant companion, the mountain. Travelling past fertile fields and crops, you will reach the north of Majorca to visit the towns of Alcudia and Pollença. After that, you will travel inland into the depths of the sierra, along a sinuous serpentine road, albeit one of arousing beauty, passing through the Mortitx Valley, past the Lluc Monastery and the Cúber and Gorg Blau reservoirs until reaching at Fornalutx, a small village that has conserved its great charm with the passing of the years.

BINISSALEM
The etymological origin of Binissalem can be found in our ancient Muslim past: it comes from the phrase ‘Banu Ssálam’, which means ‘Children of Peace’. This period of Arab occupation left numerous vestiges of the lifestyle of its former inhabitants, which are still in use to the present day, such as irrigation systems, wells, canals, etc.
However, the main feature of the town is the presence of possessions, large noble farmhouses with large land holdings, an inheritance from the feudal society and agriculture business.
Among the possessions, the most important and well-known are Morneta, from the 17th century, the houses of Can Morante (old Bellveure Inn) and Can Cabrit, characterised by a fine abundance of Arab-style architectural elements, built at the foot of the mountain in the 15th century.
The numbers of tourists and visitors interested in seeing Binissalem's architecture grows greater every day, especially since the town was awarded the category of a historical-artistic monument group in 1983. This was thanks to the golden era that the town experienced in the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, the time when a significant number of buildings were constructed, both civil and religious. The principal achievements from this magnificent era are Can Marc, Can Sabater, Can Enric Sureda, Can Llorenç, Can Amengual, Ca l’Ardiaca and Can Garriga, also known as Can Torró.
But the 18th century Church of Nuestra Señora de Obines is undoubtedly the most impressive thing here, due to its beauty and sheer presence.

LLOSETA
Among the most representative buildings in the municipality is the Son Cocó Oratory in the Son Ramon possession. It dates from the 17th century and is one of the religious symbols of the inhabitants of Lloseta.
Of equal significance is the 19th century parish church, located in the centre of the town. Next to the church are the Ayamans Palace and the Ayamans House of the Posaders, bearing witness to an age of artistic splendour.
In recent years, the cultural life of Lloseta has leaped forward, thanks to performances at the Lloseta Theatre and its hosting of the Vila Painting Prize.

ALCUDIA
Consul Quinto Cecilio Metelo incorporated Majorca to the Republic of Rome in 123 BC and founded the cities of Pollentia and Palma. The archaeological remains of Pollentia, located only metres from the centre of Alcudia, reveal the great economic development that this city enjoyed with its stately homes, theatre, shops, etc. Unfortunately, the Barbarian invasions in the 5th century destroyed a large part of this wealth.
After the Catalan conquest, the tiny town received its current name of Alcudia. King Jaime II pronounced it the capital of the parish, which contributed significantly to its positive demographic and economic development. With the construction of the church, the rectory and the cemetery, the construction of the first walled enclosure was started as a defence system, here and in most of the north of the island. The narrow and irregular streets bear witness to the medieval architectural design.
Alcudia also has many cultural visits on offer. The inviting historic centre is a great place to start off, taking a pleasant stroll inside the walled old city, which maintains great interest thanks in part to the access portals, including the Porta del Moll and de Xara and the Majorca and San Sebastián Portals.
Within the city walls, you will find lovely monuments like the Neo-Gothic San Jaime Parish Church on Calle Rectoría, in the same place occupied by the primitive 16th century construction, and civil architecture works like the ancestral homes of Can Torró, Can Fondo, Can Domènech, Can Calvó and Can Canta.

POLLENÇA
The name of Pollentia appeared in the year 123 BC, when Rome conquered Majorca and the city of Pollentia was founded -now Alcudia- a name designating not only the city itself but also the surrounding area, including the current municipalities of Alcudia, Pollença and part of the Escorca Mountains. The city would be further developed during the Catalan conquest.
The splendour of Pollença, artistically speaking, arrived in the 19th century, concretely through the figure of Costa Llobera, one of the most important poets of his time and, really, of all time. This splendour continued through the beginning of the 20th century when painters like Santiago Russinyol and Anglada Camarasa were drawn to Pollença and its fabulous light, which they took full advantage of in their artistic creations.
Visitors to Pollença shouldn’t miss out on seeing the old Dominican convent, built in the 16th century and converted into a symbol by the town. For the last 25 years, it has been used as the municipal museum and cultural centre for exhibitions, screenings, etc.
The Puig de María Sanctuary, dating from the 14th century and a mere 330 metres from the town centre on foot, and the Roser Vell Oratorio are both must-sees for those who want to view the town’s main religious symbols, as well as the 14th century Sant Jordi Oratorio, Monti-Sion Temple, from 1696, which since 1882 has operated as a town hall, the Mare de Déu dels Àngels Parish, which has had the same appearance since the 18th century and the Stations of the Cross, also from the 18th century, located on the summit of the mount with the same name.
Other interesting visits include the Alzinaret de Sant Vicenç prehistoric caves, dating back to 1600 BC, the Bóquer talayotic settlement, where you can also see the virgin Bóquer Cove, and Atalaya d’Albercuix, a defence tower built in the 16th century and located on the peak of a 380-metre-high mountain that provides wonderful views of Pollença Bay and Formentor.
During the journey, soak in the little finishing touches –stone work on balconies, benches and the public washing site- and direct your gaze upwards to discover the magnificent pictorial decorations on the ceramic tiles under the houses’ projections. Painted ceramic tiles are very common in Majorca, although they are not exclusive to the island, appearing above all in Sóller and Fornalutx. The era of the greatest dissemination of the painted tiles was during the 16th century, although it is a craft that has extended over the centuries. They have a wide range of different subjects and layouts and in addition to being purely ornamental, they also protected the homes from external aggressions.

FORNALUTX
Cobblestoned streets, steep staircases, patios overflowing with flowerpots and hanging plants… all of this makes Fornalutx unbelievably quaint and picturesque and deserving of the numerous recognitions and awards it has received. We could say that Fornalutx is a monument in itself, captivating and enthralling visitors as they stroll through the town. Important buildings include the parish church, Can Arbona –currently the town hall-, Can Xandre and the Casa d’Amunt.
During your walk, remember to keep an eye out for the endless small delightful details –stone work on balconies, benches and public washing site- and direct your gaze upwards to discover the magnificent pictorial decorations on the ceramic tiles under the houses’ projections. Painted ceramic tiles are very common in Majorca, although they are not exclusive to the island, appearing above all in Sóller and Fornalutx. The era of the greatest dissemination of the painted tiles was during the 16th century, although it is a craft that stretches over the centuries. They have a wide range of different subjects and layouts and in addition to being ornamental, also helped defend the homes from external aggressions.