Marratxí: Ceramics, History and Culture
Accommodation in Marratxi
A hotel stay in Marratxí in Mallorca takes you to a place whose cultural identity is shaped by ceramics, archaeological heritage and historic buildings. Its highlights range from a prehistoric burial chamber and a sundial to church architecture and pottery. You can tailor your time to what interests you most: early history, architectural styles or the municipality’s ceramic tradition.
Archaeology and Architectural History
The Cova de Son Caulelles, also known as cova des Moro, is an artificially created burial chamber carved directly into the rock, comprising a single room. It is 10 metres long, 2.5 metres wide and 1.8 metres high. Three steps lead to a slightly rounded entrance.
The Cova is considered the most important prehistoric archaeological site in the municipality of Marratxí. It bears witness to one of the earliest cultures in the Balearic Islands from the Bronze Age: the Naviform culture. The Naviform culture is dated to around 1700 to 1000 BC and preceded the Talaiotic culture.
The buildings also display a variety of styles. Sant Llàtzer in Pla de na Tesa has a single-nave layout and eight side chapels. Its façade is Baroque in style and dominated by a striking bell tower. The Reloj de Sol sundial, by contrast, is a painted feature on a façade: dated 1886, it is a vertical sundial with an unusual orientation and is depicted with Arabic numerals. It is painted on the façade of the former rectory.
The early history of the church relates to Marratxí as a municipality. The first known church was built in the 13th century, some years after the conquest by Jaume I. It belonged to Santa Maria del Camí and was dedicated to Sancta Maria de Barraxino. A century later, Sant Marçal became the patron saint of Marratxí.
Ceramics and Craftsmanship
Ceramics are considered the most representative tradition of the municipality of Marratxí, kept alive by today’s producers. In Marratxí, the Ruta del Fang takes visitors through artisans’ workshops, where they can find clay pots and a wide variety of everyday objects made of clay. The route and the museum offer different experiences: one focuses on workshops and utilitarian ceramics, the other on an extensive collection.
The building that houses the Museo del Fang was acquired by the Marratxí municipal council in 1977 and opened as a museum in 2002. The museum’s collection includes more than 900 pieces, including Olleria, Gerreria, Siulleria and Teulera, as well as other types of ceramics.
Traditions and Practical Information
On 30 June, the feast day of Sant Marçal, the patron saint of Marratxí, people come from all over Mallorca to venerate the saint. The pilgrimage from Palma is also well known; people make the journey to drink water from the cistern. This water is said to have healing properties.
Another cultural activity is a guided tour of the boatbuilding workshop run by boat carpenters in Son Bonet, Marratxí. The tours are mainly for groups of secondary-school students, upper-secondary students and vocational students, who learn about wooden boatbuilding and become familiar with Mallorca’s various traditional boat types.
For travel planning, there is also a connection to the Intermodal Station: Line 2 runs from there via Son Castelló to the town of Marratxí. As routes may change, it is best to check the connection before travelling.
Discover more destinations
Portol, Sa Cabaneta, Es Garrovers, Pont D'inca, Muro, Consell, Santa Ponsa, Sant Jordi
For the overview of the wider destination: Mallorca.
