Sineu, the royal village of Mallorca
Mallorca is best known for its beaches and coastline, but inland there are villages steeped in history and tradition. One of the most interesting is Sineu, the former residence of the Kings of Mallorca and one of the most characterful villages in the Mallorcan Plà region.
A strategic location
Today we’re going to tell you about a small place in the centre of the island. A tiny village in the “Pla de Mallorca” region, very peaceful, with barely 3,000 inhabitants. This is Sineu, far removed from the tourist hotspots and with an economy traditionally based on agriculture.
But in another era, Sineu was one of the key locations in Mallorca, because in 1309 King James II built the “Palau dels reis de Mallorca” (Palace of the Kings of Mallorca) here.
Sineu also hosts Mallorca’s oldest fair, which dates back to as early as 1318, whilst the weekly market dates back to 1306. Here you can buy fruit, vegetables and even live animals. Another indication of this village’s former importance is the direct link between Palma and Sineu, without passing through other villages, via the “Carretera vella de Sineu”.
So what can I do in Sineu?
Personally, what I like best is sitting in the main square, right in front of the Church of Santa Maria, at one of the terraces of the bars or restaurants. Having a coffee, a sandwich or an almond slushie. And simply enjoying the views and the Mediterranean tranquillity.
Or pop into one of the typical Mallorcan ‘Cellers’ and tuck into a hearty ‘Tumbet’ or some ‘Mallorcan soups’, surrounded by those enormous wooden barrels holding up to 4,000 litres, made from olive or holm oak.
The Sineu market
Pero sin duda una de las cosas más recomendables es acercarse el miércoles a visitar el mercado, con todo su bullicio. Encontrarás productos locales, compra venta de animales, y en general un ambiente tradicional. Y después podrás pasear por las calles, ver los pozos y cruces medievales y sobre todo, dejar volar la imaginación. Imaginar cómo sería el ambiente de este pueblo hace 700 años, cuando fue un enclave principal para señores y campesinos, y cuando los reyes de Mallorca decidieron construirse un palacio aquí, justo en el centro de la isla.
Sineu conserva todavía hoy el ambiente pausado y auténtico de la Mallorca interior, muy alejada del turismo de masas y profundamente ligada a la historia de la isla.
The danger of the Moorish invasions from the sea made the Royal Residence come to Sineu. Find out more about the Moorish raids through the Moors and Christians Festival that is held every year in Mallorca: Festival of Moors and Christians
Festival of Moors and Christians
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