My friend, Philippe, and I climbed one last pitch from Deia to the beautiful village of Valldemossa during last September’s cycling adventure on Mallorca. We didn’t have time to tour the town but promised ourselves we would return later in the week with our wives. Valldemossa at 1637 feet high in Mallorca’s Tramuntana Mountains is a very popular destination for tourism and for good reason. It is simply gorgeous!

After our bike trip was over we went back to Valldemossa and explored the town. Walking into the center we came upon a bust of the famous composer, Frederic Chopin. Chopin and his lover George Sand (Aurore Dupin),  rented a former monks’ cell during the winter of 1838 to revive his spirit and to improve his failing health.

  Marla loved walking the stone paved streets. Mallorca is a very popular Holiday destination and only a 2 hour flight from many European cities. May to September are the busiest tourist months. Cyclists love Mallorca, attracting over 150,000 cyclists per year with the Spring months being most favored.

A bakery featuring typical Mallorcan pastry delicacies caught my attention. Ensaimadas filled with fruits, creams, and sweets are our favorites.

                                                                                                                  Fabulous blue tiles cover the roof of the Real Cartuja de Valldemossa Monastary. 

The origins of the cartuja date back to the time of King Jaume II, who chose this spot to build a palace for his son Sancho. In 1399, it was donated to Carthusian monks. The monks occupied the building until its secularization in 1835.

The library is particularly interesting with its ancient volumes and the beautiful 16th Triptych. The monks were allowed to bring 3 books back to their cells.

The Hispano-Arabic plates, with their metallic sheen are fascinating!

                                             The monk’s cell.

                                                                                                                 This the view of the garden from the room Frederic Chopin rented in 1838.

                                                                                                                                         A painting of Chopin by George Sand in Valldemossa.

 The monastery gardens and the views of the valley below are beautiful.

                                                                                                                             Marla loved the old copper pots and the amazing ceiling detail!

 Looking down at the ancient tiles I wondered about the people walking on them centuries before.

 The Spanish government confiscated the monastery in 1835 and sold it to private owners.

                                                                                                                           Ceiling detail of the Parish Church of Saint Bartholomew.

 The monastery houses the oldest apothecary in Mallorca and among the best preserved in all of Europe. It was founded in 1723.

I’ve been a  lover of glass my entire life and loved the character and color of these ancient bottles. In college, I hunted for antique bottles from Northern California to Colorado.

     Its time to leave the monastery and head to the coast for lunch. Even though it was late September there are plenty of tourists.

I would love to return to enchanting Valldemossa someday and hopefully spend more time here. It has a captivating quality and its appeal to famous personages over the years is easily understandable.