INTRODUCTION

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The town of Petra is one of the most representative of the so-called Mallorca interior. Its rural landscape, the towns and their people still show many aspects of the genuine and traditional Mallorca today and lost or distorted in many other places on the island. A walk through the old streets of the town or the many rural roads allow us to know the term beauty spots and places full of nature, history and heritage. The visit will be even more rewarding if you fail to enjoy the cuisine and typical products of traditional festivals.

 

THE GEOGRAPHY AND ROUTES

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The term of Petra is located slightly to the northeast of the island of Mallorca, in the Pla. It has an area of ​​6,930 ha. Its territory offers a very diverse landscape, both in the topography, and geology or vegetation. Bonany mount, the central plain and Marina: three distinct zones are configured. In southeastern Mount Bonany represents the peak, 317 m. On its slopes, where you can bring out the living stone, areas of rainfed fruit crops (carob, fig and almond), with some areas of pines and oaks alternate.

The central plain is really an area with broad valleys and hills, with fats and clay soils. Almost all of the land is cultivated, especially devoted to cereals, but are still rainfed orchards and vineyards, most abundant over time. In the center of this area the village, the village is unique. This is built on the slight elevation separating drained by two streams that cross the term areas. These two streams are: Petra (also called Dels Rentadors) and Sa Valletta (or na Borges), extending from southwest to northeast, toward the Bay of Alcudia.

Navy extends throughout the northeastern part of the term. It is a vast plateau of quaternary land of red soil and sandstone. Tillage areas alternate with large areas of scrub. At the wheel are Monserrat is the second most prominent height of the term, 194 m. Levante a valley through which the stream of Sa Valletta opens. We found a rugged terrain with ravines and steep cliffs. The fertile and irrigated lands of the proceeds of this valley contrast with the austerity of the Navy land. In the margins of the stream riparian forests abound (poplars and elms) and other vegetation in wetland areas, especially the reeds.

The entire municipality is crossed by an extensive network of rural roads, which offer the possibility of walking or cycling to enjoy the tranquility and beauty of its landscape. From the point of view of landscape and naturalistic, especially stand mount area Bonany (where there are a number of marked routes) and Sa Marina, along with the stream valley of Sa Valletta – Na Borges.

 

TOWNSPEOPLE

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Currently Petra has about 3000 inhabitants. Traditionally most of the population lived from agriculture and livestock. Now most of the workers engaged in the tertiary sector. Other economic activities include woodworking, wine production, manufacture of building materials and geological exploitation (sandstone, brick clay and gravel), or manufacture of agricultural machinery. Life in the village still retains tranquility, comfort and the very humanity of the small towns where everyone knows everyone. In turn, the village offers a wide range of small shops, businesses and cottage industries. It also has a variety of very active associations and social, cultural and sporting organizations.

 

THE HISTORY AND SOME OF THE CHILDREN FEATURED

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Numerous archaeological sites scattered throughout all the evidence of the presence of man throughout prehistory and the Roman period. Under Muslim rule beginning in the early tenth century of our era, the term Yitnau Petra was part of the district – Bitra. Then the term was distributed farmsteads and rafals. In 1230 the Catalan conquest is produced and the Christian period. In the distribution of land on the island of Mallorca, the lands of Petra (the name derives from the ancient Muslim Bitra place name) passed to the part of King James I. A few years later the parish is already documented Petra, dedicated San Pedro.

Conqueror’s son, Jaime II, which will be based population of Petra, in the context of the Ordinances passed in 1300 for the creation and endowment of villas in Mallorca. It seems that Petra was one of the best cases in the general guidelines of the Ordinances were applied. We planned an urban core grid and equipped with the necessary infrastructure and services to about 100 people were established. Each was handed a plot to build the house five cuarteradas farmland and ten commons coppice. The rest of the term was basically organized in large properties, possessions. Almost all of these possessions in the early sixteenth century, and have passed into the hands of citizens and noble lords, most of which will possess until the late nineteenth and early twentieth century, when many of them were established.

Since the late Middle Ages the term develop within two feudal territories two horses (later turned into marquisates): the Ariany and San Martin de Alanzell. In each a population center will develop. In a farmhouse Ariany existed in Islamic era. In San Martin, which will own the early seventeenth promote the creation of core Vilafranca. Over the centuries, a parish in both cores is created. The two territories eventually separating from Petra. Vilafranca town becomes the mid-nineteenth century and Ariany in 1982.

Among the famous people include: Blessed Junipero Serra (California evangelist missionary), Fray Miguel de Petra (Capuchino figure Majorcan capital of the Enlightenment), Guillermo Moragues (politician), or disseminators of history and heritage petrer as Mossèn Francesc Torrrens, Miquel Ramis or Sebastià Rubi.

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THE CULTURAL HERITAGE, FAIRS, FESTIVALS AND TRADITIONS

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As for monuments and relevant places include the old town, which has been declared of cultural interest, both for its historical and urban value as set by the traditional buildings and monuments. Among the monuments are religious buildings of the parish church of San Pedro (late Gothic) and the Convent of San Bernardino (Renaissance and Baroque). Other buildings of interest are the old Convent of Nuns (now destined to Day Centre and other community services), Conference Room (Old hospital after town hall), the old Train Station, the Old Schools (now municipal offices ), the former headquarters of the Guardia Civil (now Municipal Theatre and School of Music), the fish, etc.. Also of note are the spaces that recall the figure of Junipero Serra, such as the Manor House and Museum, and the monument erected in the square that bears his name. Flour mills, wineries (such as caste or Son Ca’n Calo), etc: Furthermore, many examples of traditional houses and other buildings of great ethnological value are conserved.

Outside the city, stand Bonany Sanctuary, the archaeological sites of prehistoric (Son Homar, Termenor, Cova dels Voltors, etc..) And ethnological heritage houses possession (as Santandreu Son, Son Gurgut, Es Pujol, Son Mieres or Ses Cabanasses, among others), cottages, cabins, sheds, fountains, wells, pits, etc..

The village of Petra has as patron, St. Praxedis, in honor of which the feast is celebrated on July 21. Also highlights the popular festivals celebrated by San Antonio Abad (16 and 17 January), the Virgen de los Angeles (late July and early August), and in September, in honor of Father Serra. The day of the fair is on Saturday the third Sunday in September; market is every Wednesday. The fourth Sunday in October Art Show is done and Company.

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Petra town also offers a number of places to enjoy the cuisine of Mallorca or places to buy products made from traditional or artisanal.

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