Pollença ( Catalan pronunciation: [poˈʎɛn.sə] ) is a town and municipality in the northern part of the island of Majorca , near Cap de Formentor and Alcúdia . It lies inland, about 6 km (4 mi) west of its port, Port de Pollença .
8-534: The origin of the name "Pollença" can be traced back to the name of the Roman settlement of " Pollentia ", the excavated remains of which lie several kilometers away, at the modern municipality of Alcúdia. Throughout its history, Pollença was a site of significant military confrontations, due to its prominent geographical position. From resisting the Christian conquest and the expedition of King James I of Aragon , to becoming
16-557: A sombre, torchlit parading of the body of Christ through the town led by hundreds of people in cloaks, masks and pointed hats and done in total silence save for the slow beating of a drum. The town also has a 19th-century bridge of Romanesque design that crosses a stream to the north of town. Most visited sights in Pollença town: Plaça Mayor, Plaça Vella, Can Llobera, Convent, Joan March Gardens, Calvari and Roman Bridge. Pollentia (Majorca) Pollentia ( Catalan : Pol·lèntia)
24-514: The 17th and 18th centuries and many streets are very narrow and compact, a legacy from the medieval era. The central square, called Plaça Major, has numerous outdoor cafés and is dominated by a large 13th-century church Esglèsia de Nostra Senyora dels Àngels (Our Lady of the Angels) which was built by the Knights Templar . One of the town's most distinctive features is the 365-step stairway north of
32-454: The last stand of King James III of Majorca , the area witnessed intense conflicts. It was founded in the 13th century some 6 km (4 mi) from the coast, in an effort to avoid pirate attacks. Various encounters with corsairs occurred, including the notable confrontation with Ottoman corsair Dragut in 1550, where the Pollença locals displayed remarkable bravery. The event is commemorated annually on August 2nd. Most houses were built in
40-402: The other Roman cities founded by consul Metellus, it is believed Pollentia was a Roman castra (camp) until c. 70 BC, when, according to the excavations in the forum area, the urbanization of the city was reorganized and monumentalized. Pollentia was a rich and prosperous city, whose conserved area is around 16 hectares . This area suffered a devastating fire in the 3rd century AD, but the city
48-498: The square; this leads up to a chapel on top of the hill known as Calvary. On Good Friday this is the setting for the most dramatic parade of the year. First, on the road winding up the back of the hill, there is a reenactment of the Stations of the Cross . This is followed by a mock crucifixion on top of the hill after which the figure of Christ is ceremonially removed from the Cross. There is
56-433: Was a Roman city founded by Quintus Caecilius Metellus Balearicus in the present city of Alcúdia , allegedly in the year 123 BC. The first documented remains belong, however, to the first half of the 1st century BC. This had led the researches to establish the possibility of the creation of a castra (military camp) by the military expedition that, a generation later, would result in the current city of Pollentia. Like
64-412: Was not depopulated, since the construction of a fortification in the 5th century AD has been documented in the same forum. In the following centuries, Pollentia was partially or totally unpopulated, with the Christian medieval population settling down a bit further north, in the present town of Alcúdia , which lies next to Pollença , town that carries the name of this ancient Roman city. Excavations, since
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