Valldemossa is a picturesque village in the mountains inland from Deia and Soller in the Balearic Island of Mallorca that is famous for its traditional dancing. We stopped here on the last day of our walking holiday in Mallorca.
Its beautiful Royal Charterhouse – La Cartoixa – which was originally a Carthusian monastery, has played host over the years to luminaries such as the composer Frederic Chopin and writer George Sand. In fact the couple fled here to escape the scandal surrounding their scandalous affair.
La Cartoixa nowadays also functions as a cultural centre and apart from the annual Chopin Festival in summer, there are also performances of traditional dances by the Parado group of Valldemossa.
Valledemossa is on the scenic route from Soller to Palma and we were feeling very satisfied with our walking holiday in Mallorca’s Sierra Tramuntana. We were fortunate enough to catch a folk dancing event in October.
There was a traditional “orchestra” set in the cobbled square near the monastery and dancers of varying ages bowed, curtsied and whirled to the delight of daytrippers.
The performers were clearly enjoying themselves and there was a real sense of how important it is to the local people to keep their Mallorquina customs and art forms alive.
By Natasha von Geldern
Have you had an experience like this while travelling?
Valldemossa is my favourite spot in Mallorca! I’ve never seen the folk dancing though. Have to plan my next visit for October 🙂
It is a gorgeous spot and well worth it to catch a festival event!
Hi Do you know when in October they will be performing?
I think there are performances several times a week Max, I was there on a Saturday late morning.