Santa Margalida facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Santa Margalida
Santa Margalida
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| Santa Margalida Santa Margarita | ||
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Map of Santa Margalida in Mallorca
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 Santa Margalida
Location in Majorca
Santa Margalida
Location in Balearic Islands
Santa Margalida
Location in Spain
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| Country |  Spain |
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| Autonomous community |  Balearic Islands |
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| Province | Balearic Islands | |
| Island | Mallorca | |
| Comarca | Llevant | |
| Judicial district | Inca | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 86.51 km2 (33.40 sq mi) | |
| Elevation | 100 m (300 ft) | |
| Population
(2018)
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| • Total | 11,958 | |
| • Density | 138.227/km2 (358.01/sq mi) | |
| Demonym(s) | Margalidà, -ana and their internal variations Viler, -a ; Picaforter, -a ; Sonserramarí, -ina. | |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) | |
| Official language(s) | Catalan Spanish | |
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Santa Margalida is a town and a group of villages in the northeast of Majorca, a beautiful island in Spain. It's home to about 10,204 people.
The people of Santa Margalida live in three main areas. The biggest one is the town of Santa Margalida itself, which is about 10 kilometers (6 miles) from the coast. The other two areas, Can Picafort and Son Serra de Marina, are popular tourist spots right on the coast, located on the Alcúdia bay. About 23.6% of the people living here are from other countries.
Contents
Exploring Santa Margalida
Where is Santa Margalida?
Santa Margalida is located about 45 kilometers (28 miles) from Palma, which is the capital city of Majorca. It's part of a large flat area in the center of the island called Es Plà.
The area around Santa Margalida is very flat, usually less than 100 meters (328 feet) above sea level. Some small streams flow through the area towards the sea in the northeast. There's also a freshwater swamp in the northwest. Along the coast, you can see tall stone pillars called obelisks. These were used long ago, in the 1800s, to help sailors find their way.
Neighboring Towns
Santa Margalida shares its borders with several other towns. To the northwest, you'll find Muro and Llubí. To the south, it borders Maria de la Salut, Ariany, and Petra. To the east, the Torrent de na Borges, which is the longest stream in Majorca, forms the border with Artà.
Towns and Villages
The area of Santa Margalida includes three main towns. Here's how many people lived in each town as of January 1, 2005 (these numbers don't include people living outside these main settlements):
- Can Picafort (5,685 people)
- Santa Margalida (3,195 people)
- Son Serra de Marina (535 people)
Santa Margalida Town
The town of Santa Margalida has a long history of farming and making things by hand. This area was settled a very long time ago, even during Roman times, when it was called Hero. Later, when Arabs ruled the island, there was a big estate here. Many old stories and myths are connected to the town and its name, Santa Margalida.
A great example of the town's history and wealth is the large parish church of Santa Margalida. It was first built in 1232 and later updated in the 1600s or 1700s. From the church, you can get a wonderful view of the countryside. The inside of the church is also beautifully decorated.
Can Picafort
Can Picafort is a popular place for tourists on the Bay of Alcúdia. There's a 5-kilometer (3-mile) long sandy beach between Port d'Alcudia and Can Picafort, lined with hotels. A protected swamp called Albufera is nearby. It's a great place to explore nature, and you can even rent bikes to ride through it.
Can Picafort is well-equipped for visitors, with many bars and restaurants along its beach promenade. It's busy during the summer, but much quieter in the off-season when some businesses close. In the 1990s, more people started living in Can Picafort than in Santa Margalida town, making it a very important place in the area.
Near Can Picafort, you can visit ancient burial sites called the necropoles of Son Real and S'Illa d'en Porros. These are remains from the Talaiot culture, which existed in Majorca a very long time ago.
Water Sports Fun
The Bay of Alcudia is an amazing place for sailing. Most days, the wind is just right for small waves and a refreshing breeze. This wind usually starts around 10 AM and lasts until after 5 PM. When strong storms come from the north, experienced sailors can still enjoy the challenge safely in the bay, even with waves that can reach up to 3.6 meters (12 feet) high!
Motor Sport Excitement
Can Picafort also has one of the biggest go-kart racing tracks in Majorca. After being updated in 2004, the track is now 1,325 meters (4,347 feet) long. It has two parts: a 725-meter (2,379-foot) track for professional races and an 825-meter (2,707-foot) track for people who want to rent karts for fun. Every year, there's a big international 24-hour race, along with other national races.
Son Serra de Marina
This quiet tourist village is about 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) south of Can Picafort. It stretches for about 1,400 meters (4,593 feet) along the Bay of Alcúdia. Most of the buildings here are two-story houses, often used as vacation homes by locals. Because of this, the streets are usually very calm, except during holidays when the owners come to stay. Unlike Can Picafort, Son Serra de Marina hasn't become a huge tourist destination.
Son Serra de Marina has a small marina on its western beach. To the east, the town is bordered by the Torrent de na Borges stream. The beach there is a favorite spot for windsurfers and kitesurfers.
The town has three beaches that are not usually too crowded. The local beach, west of the Torrent de na Borges, is about 450 meters (1,476 feet) long and 130 meters (427 feet) wide, mostly visited by local residents. East of the town is the 1,800-meter (5,906-foot) long Sa Canova beach, which stretches almost to S'Estanyol. To the west, a little outside the main village, is the beach of Son Real. You can follow a hiking path along the coast from here to Can Picafort.
Culture and Fun Things to See
Churches
- Parish Church Santa Margalida: A historic and beautiful church in the town of Santa Margalida.
Ancient Sites
- Necropoles of Son Real and S'Illa d'en Porros: These are ancient burial grounds from the Talaiot culture, showing how people lived long ago.
Nature Spots
- Parc natural de s'Albufera de Mallorca: This is a special bird sanctuary, a great place to see different kinds of birds and enjoy nature.
Beaches to Explore
The Santa Margalida area has many lovely beaches and bays, including:
- Platja de Can Picafort
- Platja de son Bauló
- s'Arenal d'en Casat
- Cala Serralot
- Platja de son Real
- Platja de es Dolç
- Platja de son Serra de Marina
Local Festivals
- Festes de Santa Margalida: This is a big celebration for the town's patron saint, usually around July 20th.
- Festes de la Beata: This festival honors Santa Catalina Tomàs and takes place on the first Sunday in September.
Famous People from Santa Margalida
- Juan March (1880–1962): He was a very important banker who started the Banca March bank.
See also
In Spanish: Santa Margarita (Baleares) para niños
