History of Santa Ponsa

Now a thriving holiday resort, and popular destination for British and German property owners, it's hard to believe that 40 years ago there was only one hotel in the town. However, Santa Ponsa is steeped in history going back well beyond the last 40 years.

It was here that King Jaime disembarked on 10th September 1229 in his quest to conquer the island and take it from the Moors after more than 300 years of Muslim domination. The spot where King Jaime arrived in Santa Ponsa is remembered by Santa Ponsa's best known landmark, the cross at the entrance to the Marina. It's a popular haunt for holidaymakers, from where spectacular views across the bays of both Santa Ponsa and Paguera can be enjoyed. It is a walk not to be missed during your stay in Santa Ponsa.

To commemorate the landing of King Jaime and his knights, the "Rey en Jaume Fiesta" (one of the biggest Fiestas in Mallorca) takes place in Santa Ponsa during the week leading up to the second Sunday in September. There are daily events including colourful parades, Medieval market stalls and a re-enactment of the battle between the Moors and the Christians on Santa Ponsa's main beach. As usual, we'll post up the full schedule for the next Rey en Jaume Fiesta as soon as it's available.

After conquering Mallorca, the island became part of the Kingdom of Aragon until later becoming part of the Kingdom of Spain.

Another landmark, little known to many people, is a small church on the main road to Palma (opposite the sewage farm!) Known as the Chapel of Sa Pedra Sagrada (Sacred Stone) it is, according to legend, on the site where the Christians celebrated their first mass on the island following the conquest.

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