Alaro Castle

Alaró, Spain

Alaro castle is perched on top a rocky mountain above the town in the west of Mallorca. A popular walk from the town (or further up the hill if you prefer to drive) takes you to a ruined castle and hilltop chapel offering spectacular views of the Tramuntana mountains and over towards Palma and all the way to the sea.

A castle has stood on this site since Moorish times; it was so impregnable that the Arab commander was able to hold out for two years after the Christian conquest. Later, in 1285, two heroes of Mallorcan independence, Cabrit and Brassa, defended the castle against Alfonso III of Aragon and were burned alive on a spit when he finally took it by storm. Their punishment was a consequence of their impudent defiance of the king. The present ruins date from the 15th century and seem almost to grow out of the rock, dominating the landscape for miles around.

References:

See Mallorca

Address

Unnamed Road, Alaró, Spain

See all sites in Alaró

Details

Founded: 15th century
Category: Castles and fortifications in Spain

More Information

www.seemallorca.com

Rating

4.7/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

slamartist (4 years ago)
really nice hiking spot with incredible views and a small café on top.

Andrew Barke (4 years ago)
Spectacular location with special views. Take cash as they don't take cards.

Nataša Jeraj Kampuš (4 years ago)
Must-do. We did trekking from Es Verger restaurant with family and enjoyed every minute. The drive from Alaro to the restaurant is not for inexperienced driver. The hike to castle took us about an hour and views are amazing! In short time you get the flavour of Serra de Tramontana. At the end you deserve lamb shoulders or goat with rosemary-both are delicious.

Oli Shaw (5 years ago)
Views worth the hike and great to get a drink and snack at the top

Michael Shiel (5 years ago)
Well worth the effort. You can drive most of the way but the track gets much rougher after the cafe stop, you need good ground clearance on your car. Fantastic views.

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Finest Norman castles in Italy

Exploring the History of Northern Poland

Discovering Slovenia's Historic Wonders

Photo from Flickr, copyright Zvonimir Hrvoj

Historic Site of the week

Church of St Donatus

The Church of St Donatus name refers to Donatus of Zadar, who began construction on this church in the 9th century and ended it on the northeastern part of the Roman forum. It is the largest Pre-Romanesque building in Croatia.

The beginning of the building of the church was placed to the second half of the 8th century, and it is supposed to have been completed in the 9th century. The Zadar bishop and diplomat Donat (8th and 9th centuries) is credited with the building of the church. He led the representations of the Dalmatian cities to Constantinople and Charles the Great, which is why this church bears slight resemblance to Charlemagne's court chapels, especially the one in Aachen, and also to the Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna. It belongs to the Pre-Romanesque architectural period.

The circular church, formerly domed, is 27 m high and is characterised by simplicity and technical primitivism.