Mallorca Day 24b - Valldemossa

We drove into Valdemossa and parked in the first parking lot we could find, along with lots of tour buses, popular spot. There was no market today. Our informant had got it wrong. The market is on Sunday.

I think this is the top of the Royal Charterhouse Church.

The Monastery forecourt. The building was first a palace and then became a monastery, now a museum. We didn't go into any of the places that needed tickets. We chose instead to just explore the historic centre.

St Bartholemew Church. We didn't walk to that end of town.

We ate our picnic on a bench and then did a lot of popping in and out of little stores.

Main entrance to the palace.

There were bars, restaurants and cafes everywhere. It is a tourist destination but a very pretty one.

We chanced on the Coll Bardolet Cultural Centre and although 2 of the exhibition spaces were closed, the floor devoted to Coll Bardolet's art was open. We first watched a video on his life that was narrated in English. A Spanish artist he lives and works in Valdemossa although he is celebrated in all the places he has lived in Spain and Switzerland.

Valldemossa. Unfortunately his work is framed and glassed so it is difficult to get a good photo due to the reflections.

Marjades, 1970

A display of his sketches.

Apunt de parella de balledores, 2001. I loved his paintings of the folk dancers. Although minimalist they portray such movement.

Coffee and a slice of apple torte in a cafe garden and then we took the Palma road back. Opting to pay the 5 Euro for the tunnel rather than brave the mountain road again. We planned to go to the botanical gardens in Soller but found they closed at 2 (we had thought they re-opened at 3, but no)

So we took our lives in our hands crossing the main road and visited a garden centre. I bought some basil and oregano. I think it is still too cold to leave them out at night but they can go outside during the day.

As well as all the flowers they had orange, lemon, avocado, kiwi and fig trees. Makes me want to get gardening.