Felanitx, with about 19,000 inhabitants, is one of the main towns of south-east Majorca. A farming and craft town, it is known for ceramics, wine and its harbour, Portocolom, and is the home town of painter Miquel Barceló.
The town
The old town centres on the large church of Sant Miquel, from the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, with a monumental façade and stairway. Below the stairway is the Font de Santa Margalida, the town's old spring. On Sunday mornings a busy market sells produce, crafts and traditional Felanitx ceramics. The town is surrounded by almond, olive and carob groves and vineyards, and belongs to the Pla i Llevant wine appellation (see Spanish wines).
Sant Salvador and Santueri
- The Sant Salvador sanctuary, on top of Puig de Sant Salvador (509 m), is one of the island's best-loved places: reached by a winding road, it offers extraordinary views over much of Majorca. Next to the sanctuary, which has a guesthouse, stand a large cross and a monument to Christ the King.
- Santueri castle, on a nearby rock, is a fortress of Moorish and then medieval origin, partly restored and open to visitors.
Portocolom
Portocolom, Felanitx's coastal village, is a sheltered natural harbour with fishermen's cottages and colourful boats, llaüts, lined along the shore. According to a much-disputed local tradition, Christopher Columbus was born here. Nearby are coves such as Cala Marçal and Cala Sa Nau (see beaches).
Practical information
Felanitx is about 50 km from Palma. It is a good base for discovering authentic inland Majorca and the south-east coves, such as those of Cala d'Or.