Valldemossa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Valldemossa
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Map of Valledemossa in Mallorca
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 Valldemossa
Location in Majorca
Valldemossa
Location in Balearic Islands
Valldemossa
Location in Spain
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| Country | Spain | |
| Autonomous community | Balearic Islands | |
| Province | Balearic Islands | |
| Judicial district | Valldemossa | |
| Founded | 123 BC | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 16.6 km2 (6.4 sq mi) | |
| Elevation | 499 m (1,637 ft) | |
| Population
(2018)
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| • Total | 1,945 | |
| • Density | 117.2/km2 (303.5/sq mi) | |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) | |
| Postal code |
7017
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| Dialing code | 971 | |
| Official language(s) | Catalan, Spanish | |
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Valldemossa is a beautiful village and municipality on the island of Mallorca. This island is part of the Balearic Islands, which belong to Spain.
Valldemossa is famous for its main landmark: the Royal Charterhouse of Valldemossa. This historic building was built in the early 14th century. A famous thinker named Ramon Llull lived in this area around that time.
Since the 1800s, Valldemossa has become known worldwide for its amazing beauty. This happened largely because of an Austrian traveler and writer, Archduke Ludwig Salvator. Valldemossa is also the birthplace of Catalina Thomas, who is the patron saint of Mallorca. Today, Valldemossa is a popular place for tourists to visit. It offers a glimpse into early Spanish culture with many shops and restaurants.
Contents
History of Valldemossa
In 1399, the king of Aragon, Martin the Humane, gave his summer home, the Royal Palace of Valldemossa, to the Carthusian Order. This religious group was started by Bruno of Cologne in 1084. Their monasteries were called charterhouses, like their main home, Chartreuse. That is why the building in Valldemossa is now called the Valldemossa Charterhouse.
The charterhouse was home to twelve monks, a prior (their leader), and several lay brothers. The lay brothers helped with daily tasks. Catalina Thomas, the patron saint of Mallorca, was born here in 1533. In 1552, the town was attacked by Muslim raiders.
In the 1830s, the Spanish government took control of monasteries. The historic estate was then sold to private owners. Since then, many famous guests have stayed there.
Famous Visitors to Valldemossa
One famous couple who visited was the Polish composer Frédéric Chopin and the French writer George Sand. They stayed in Valldemossa in 1838–39. George Sand wrote a book called A Winter in Majorca. In it, she praised the island's natural beauty.
Later, the Nicaraguan poet Rubén Darío was a guest of the Sureda y Montaner families, who owned the Charterhouse estate. He even slept in monk clothes to help with his nightmares.
The famous Argentinian author Jorge Luis Borges also lived in Valldemossa with his family after World War I. His friendship with a young artist named Jacobo Sureda Montaner helped Borges decide to write mostly in Spanish.
Until 2007, Valldemossa had a mayor who had been in office since the time of the Francoist dictatorship. This was a unique situation in democratic Spain.
Chopin and Sand's Winter in Valldemossa
In 1836, Frédéric Chopin met the French writer George Sand. By the summer of 1838, they became a couple. They spent the winter of 1838–39 together in Mallorca with Sand’s two children. They first stayed in Palma de Mallorca before moving to the Charterhouse in Valldemossa.
After just a month, Chopin wrote about Valldemossa in a sad way. He complained about the weather and the local food. The Mediterranean climate was supposed to be good for him. However, that winter was very rainy, and Chopin caught a cold.
To make things worse, a piano ordered for him from Europe got lost during shipping. When it was found, it waited for weeks at Palma port for customs fees to be paid. During this time, Chopin had to play on a poor local piano. Despite these problems, he kept working on his music. It was in Mallorca that he finished his collection of 24 preludes. This included the famous Prelude in D-flat major, also known as "Raindrop."
After Chopin and Sand left, locals were worried about tuberculosis. They burned most of the furniture from the rooms where the couple had lived.
Chopin and Sand Museum
Today, there are museums dedicated to Chopin and Sand in cells 2 and 4 of the monastery. These museums display items like letters, music papers, portraits, and sketches. You can also see the Majorcan piano that Chopin used to compose on. The museum also has a mask made after Chopin's death and a lock of his hair. This private museum was started in 1929.
Since 1930, the Chopin Festival has been held every August at the Carthusian monastery.
In cell 4, visitors can see the Pleyel piano that Chopin ordered from Paris. It arrived in Valldemossa just three weeks before he left. When Chopin and Sand left, they did not want to pay high customs fees again. So, they left the piano with the director of the bank where Sand had an account. The piano was passed down through the banker’s family. Its current owners are the Quetglas brothers, who manage Chopin’s and Sand’s cell. This piano is the most prized item in their Chopin museum.
Tourism in Valldemossa
Valldemossa is a very popular place for tourists in the Balearic Islands of Spain. One of the main attractions is the 13th-century monastery. This is where the famous musician Frederic Chopin spent a winter. The monastery was first built as a royal palace. But in 1399, it was changed into a monastery.
The famous actor Michael Douglas and actress Catherine Zeta-Jones own a home near the coast of Valldemossa.
Events and Festivals in Valldemossa
Valldemossa hosts many exciting festivals:
- Festes de la Beata: This festival takes place around July 28. It celebrates the Patron Saint of Valldemossa. Many parades fill the streets during this event.
- Festival of Saint Bartomeu: Held on August 24, this festival also celebrates the Patron Saint. There are wonderful performances in the Cloisters of the Monastery.
- Annual Artdemossa: This festival happens at the end of July. It features art and performance exhibitions.
Activities to Enjoy in Valldemossa
In Valldemossa, you can enjoy the beautiful countryside and amazing views. There are also many activities available nearby. These include hiking, cycling, rock climbing, golfing, and horseback riding.
Notable People from Valldemossa
Born in Valldemossa
- Catherine of Palma (1533-1574), a saint.
People Connected to Valldemossa
- Ramon Llull (ca 1232-ca 1316), an author and philosopher.
- Manuel Bayeu (1740-1809), a monk and painter.
- George Sand (1804-1876), a French author.
- Frédéric Chopin (1810-1849), a Polish composer and piano player.
- Ludwig Salvator of Austria (1847-1915), an Austrian archduke, author, and scientist.
- Santiago Rusiñol (1861-1931), a Catalan painter.
- Rubén Darío (1867-1916), a Nicaraguan poet.
- Jorge Luis Borges (1899-1986), an Argentinian author.
Images for kids
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Charterhouse.
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Floral decoration on the facades.
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Chopin's piano, in the monastery.
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View over Valldemossa.
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Frédéric Chopin Monument in Valldemossa.
See also
In Spanish: Valldemosa para niños
