Dry stone walls in Mallorca: the art of building in the Serra de Tramuntana
There is one thing that greatly surprises many people visiting Mallorca for the first time, especially if they visit the Serra de Tramuntana. We are referring to those long stone walls, stretching for miles as they climb up the mountainside, no matter how steep the slope. These are the “marges”, built using the dry stone walling technique, one of the most striking and characteristic examples of traditional engineering in Mallorca.
What is dry stone walling in Mallorca?
On any agricultural estate, in order to cultivate the land, the first step was to remove the stones. Not just the loose ones, but also those rooted in the ground. To do this, dynamite or lime cartridges were used to blast the stones out.
Once this was done, these boulders had to be put to use in one way or another, and the most practical way was to build boundary walls or terraces for cultivation. These low walls are what we in Mallorca know as dry stone walls, so called because no cement or mortar is used between the stones.
The margers: the traditional craft
The margers are the specialists in building these dry stone walls. This type of wall, known as a ‘marger’, was originally built to mark the boundaries of plots of land and, in the mountains, to create terraces suitable for cultivation.
Their main tools are the picassó gros and the picassa, along with some special hammers used to strike and break the stones, shaping them to the desired form and size. It is very physical and hard work, not suitable for everyone as it involves lifting heavy weights and working outdoors for hours on end, enduring the cold in winter and intense heat in summer.
The best professionals can be found in certain villages, such as Banyalbufar, Bunyola or Sóller, which, due to their mountainous terrain, have a greater need for them.
How is a dry stone wall built?
Technique
The first thing to do was to clear the ground thoroughly and prepare a bed for the wall, at least a span deep, known as s’escombra.
The largest stones are placed inside this to form the base, known as the assentament. A long, taut string, the ginyola, marks the line to follow so that the wall does not end up crooked. Next, a stone is placed to act as a corner stone; this is the pedra mestra. About three-quarters of a metre away, another large stone is placed, carefully aligned, to serve as a reference point. The space between these two stones is filled with more stones, fitting them tightly together.
The other side of the wall is built in the same way, and the gap between the two is filled with smaller stones, but always without mortar. This is done in sections, up to the required height. Finally, the top row of stones is carefully selected to provide a neat finish at the top, known as the ‘corona’.
Dimensions and benefits of a dry stone wall
Once completed, the wall is usually around 0.80 metres wide and 1.50 metres high, although some can be much taller.
It is important to note that, as dry stone walls contain no mortar or cement, there are gaps between the stones, which allow water to pass through but retain the soil when it rains heavily.
Finally, there are many advantages to building dry stone walls: clearing the land, demarcating plots and creating new terraces for cultivation
Dry stone walls today: heritage and landscape
Traditionally, dry stone walls were built mainly for practical rather than aesthetic reasons. Today, things have changed somewhat, and many people like to have a dry stone wall at their country homes. This gives them a more rustic feel, preserving the heritage and landscape so typical of Mallorca.
marge or dry wall
Banyalbufar, a triumph of dry stone walling
This beautiful village, with just over 500 registered inhabitants, is situated in the Serra de Tramuntana mountains, on a very rugged coastline, yet offering spectacular sea views.
Traditionally, Banyalbufar has been renowned for three things: a) Ramallet tomatoes, ideal for making a good Pa amb Oli. b) Malvasia and the delicious wines made from this grape variety. c) And the dry stone walls, or marges, without which it would be impossible to grow the two products mentioned above in Banyalbufar.
The approach to Banyalbufar is always impressive, whether via the Ma.10 road linking it to Estellencs on one side or Esporlas on the other, or by sea. The impression is always the same: the spectacular sight of a vast hillside, with a steep slope covered in houses and terraces built with dry stone walls.
All these terraces were built to make the most of the land, to cultivate it and to survive in a rugged and challenging natural environment. Today, it is one of the most beautiful sights for any visitor to Mallorca.
For centuries, dry stone walls helped to cultivate vineyards, olive groves, almond trees and vegetable gardens on an island with a challenging landscape. That agricultural and Mediterranean tradition lives on today in many of Mallorca’s typical products; you can discover them here:
Discover the best gourmet products from Mallorca
If the dry stone wall is the most iconic feature of Mallorca’s landscape, along our coastline it is the llaüt, the island’s most characteristic boat. Click the link to find out more about this traditional vessel.: The llaut