Capdepera Castle and Sant Salvador de Artà
What is it?

The route is divided into two parts.
First of all, a visit to Capdepera Castle, in the north-east of Majorca and one of its main cultural, heritage and tourist attractions, is suggested. This is in a strategic position for views over the coastline, inland and, above all, the Menorca channel.
Afterwards we can go to the neighbouring village of Artà and go around the Sant Salvador de Artà group of fortified buildings. This is a walled compound on a hill with the same name, at an altitude of about 182 metres. The shrine to Sant Salvador was built inside, replacing the old temple, and was used as a hospital for locals suffering from the bubonic plague in 1820.
Visit
Opening hours and prices:
Capdepera Castle
Information and reservations: +34 971 818746
15 October to 15 March: Monday to Sunday, 09.00-17.00.
16 March to 14 October: Monday to Sunday, 09.00-20.00.
Closed from 1 to 6 January.
Price: €2.
Sant Salvador de Artà
Unrestricted and free-of-charge.
Location and contact:
Capdepera Castle
Carrer Castell, s/n. 07580 Capdepera
Telephone (Cala Rajada Tourist Information Office): +34 971 819 467 / 608610939
Telephone (Capdepera Tourist Information Office): +34 971 556 479
Web site: www.castellcapdepera.com
E-mail: agentcastell@ajcapdepera.net, turisme@ajcapdepera.net, informació@ajcapdepera.net
Sant Salvador de Artà
Costa de Sant Salvador, s/n. 07570 Artà
Telephone: +34 971 83 61 36
Web site: www.artamallorca.travel
E-mail: contact form on the web site
Available public transport
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Public Transport
Routes serving this route Outward
Routes serving this route Return
Detailed description
Capdepera Castle
To get to Capdepera Castle from the bus stop in the Plaça Constitució, follow the directions on the attached map.
The castle was designed as a fortified compound and was built in the 14th Century by King Jaume II. The fortification served to protect the population at times when pirate attacks were more frequent. In the 16th Century there were 125 houses within the walls. Later, however, it became uninhabited and in the 18th Century it ended up as a military outpost until 1854, when it was definitively abandoned. It remained in a state of abandonment until 1983 when the Castle became municipal property. It is currently managed by a trust. It has also been declared to be a site of cultural interest (SCI) and income from it is used to preserve and maintain municipal cultural heritage.
At the highest point of the architectural ensemble, we can see the chapel dedicated to Sant Joan, where the image of Nostra Senyora de l'Esperança (Our Lady of Hope) still remains. At this particular point we can see the channel that separates Majorca from Menorca. The En Miguel Nunis tower is next door, built on square foundations in the Islamic era. The tower also has a windmill, known as Es Molí d'En Cofeta. An interesting fact is that it was in this tower that, in June 1231, the Capdepera peace treaty was signed, whereby Menorca came under the Crown of Aragón.
On the third weekend in May each year there is a medieval market inside the fort.
From Capdepera to Artà
To go from Capdepera to Artà, go back to the Plaça Constitució in Capdepera and catch the L411 that goes to Artà and Manacor. The journey only takes 10 minutes. Get off in Avinguda Costa i Llobera in Artà.
Sant Salvador d'Artà
In this case, also follow the directions on the attached map and go from the bus stop in Avinguda Costa i Llobera in Artà to Sant Salvador.
Since the 15th Century the shrine has housed the ancient image of Nostra Senyora de Sant Salvador, which is Romanesque polychrome wood and was restored in the middle of the 20th Century. The image came from the church in Bellpuig (Catalonia). Inside the fort, we can see the caretaker's house, which is the house where the person in charge of maintaining the shrine, and also two cisterns, one (17th Century) in front of the entrance to the shrine and another to one side, lived.
It is interesting to note that this compound is also known as la Almudaina, in memory of the Muslim era. However, according to some authors, the compound may well have been built later on.
After the conquest of Majorca (Jaume I in the 13th Century), the compound continued to be used to protect local inhabitants. Later on, in the 16th Century, a series of works were carried out to improve the defence system. This was due to the fact that, at the time, piracy and privateering were rife.
You can get to it by going inside the church of the Transfiguració and climbing the 180 steps of the stairs. Make the most of the visit to enjoy the impressive views of Artà village and its surrounding area.