These mountains to the left look fake, I know but they are real. They are so picturesque and remind me of Switzerland. The clouds were hanging around the tops of the Mountains the whole time that we were in Fornalutx. This photo was taken in Soller, which is another town that does not get any credit for its own beauty. Fornalutx is tucked up high in the valley that you see in this photo. The drive up was breathtaking.I have never in my life seen such a beautiful village as Fornalutx. The name of the village is not pretty but the scenery makes up for it. Fornalutx citizens have worked hard to preserve their little village and they have received many awards and are named the best preserved town in Spain. UNESCO awarded them in 2011. Its rich history goes back over 1000 years as an Arab farmstead. They were then conquered by the Catalan Empire and it started to take its current shape in the 1200s. I would have chosen this particular spot for defensive reasons as it is at the top of a narrow valley with towering mountains behind and in front you can see any invaders approaching. They may have also chosen it for its beauty as well.
The buildings are preserved very well and in great shape. I also walked past some buildings in the process of being saved and renovated.
This lady was coming out with food for her cat which I had just passed on the stairs coming down.
Stairs are everywhere to help the locals with the steep inclines. These would have been around for centuries. You walk up the stairs on this street and then it twists around and continues 3 more times. It was delightful and oozing charm.
Darren was walking on the upper street and I wanted to explore on the lower street which had stairs. He had to eventually follow me or he would have lost me as the street curved to the left and went down several flights of stairs on the street.
The flora is a large part of the beauty of Fornalutx. Towering Cyprus, Palms and Cedar trees are everywhere. Morning Glory vines grow wild with their pretty blue flowers and Bougainvillea is around every corner.
I loved the cobbled pattern on this street.
I also loved the cobbled pattern on this street, but it was much more rustic with its own charm.
It really was hard to take in all of the surrounding beauty
The cloud was beginning to burn off over the narrow valley in the background.
There were copious amounts of Orange Trees which was a perfect shot of the town in the background.
The streets were so gorgeous. The iron railing of the balustrade on the left tempered with the golden glow of the rocks hewn from the surrounding mountains, the beautiful arches to the doorways and decorated with pots of greenery made for some serious eye candy. For me, this street was poetry for the eyes and soul.
I mean seriously, look how pretty this place is, unbelievable. The photos really do an injustice to this ridiculously stunning place.
Darren waiting for me again as I take copious photos on my phone.
This was an ancient defensive tower but it now houses the City Hall. The Bougainvillea makes for a lovely forefront to the photo.
I am still shocked that I did not fall on my face several times as I have only taken this many photos in such a short time once before and that was in India where I snapped a photo every second. Fornalutx was like this for me.
The restaurant that we ate at was to Darren's left. It hung on the mountainside and provided stupendous views of the surrounding valley. We ate outside as the weather was perfect for dining 'al fresco'.
Fornalutx is located in the Tramuntana Mountains and is a harmonious mix of Muslim and Christian cultures typical of the Mediterranean area. You can literally wander for hours up and down the narrow cobbled streets and stairways to more pretty around every curved street. There are no corners for Fornalutx.
This photo looks like Heidi is going to walk out of that house down below. There are many Germans who settled in Mallorca after WWII. Unfortunately, many Nazis were given safe haven on the island. The Spanish government at the time apparently had no taste or morals.
We continued to walk around to the other side of the valley to take in the views of Fornalutx. I was also looking for a public washroom which are in short supply. I did find a quiet and secluded spot behind some trees and nobody was the wiser.
The large tree to the right is a type of Conifer that I have seen in other Mediterranean countries. It is a particular favourite of mine.
Such beauty is rare.
You can snap pictures constantly in this charming village. Everything is pretty.
To the right is a picture of the terraced plots of land that are common to the area. Most likely this began with the Arab farmers.
We stopped for lunch and I had a typical Spanish meal of sliced tomatoes with balsamic vinegar and soft mozza cheese, delicious brown bread with olives and garlic butter. I had a Mallorcan dry Rose that was delicious! The views were stupendous.
There are parking areas for tourists and only park on the blue lines, not the green. A motorcycle cop informed us of this rule. Green is for locals. Parking was a few euros.
I loved this little village so much that I would love to return and drag friends and family with me so that I can share the beauty and explore with them. Or I could move here for a few months and immerse myself in the Spanish language and speak it on a regular basis. Duolingo gave me the basics but I need to be immersed.
Visit Fornalutx and fall in love.
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