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Manacor
«Manacor es la ciudad famosa por las perlas artificiales.»Manacor is the city famous for artificial pearls.
Manacor is the second-largest municipality in Majorca by population and is located on the eastern plain of the island, about ten kilometres from the sea. Since the end of the 19th century, it has lived off woodworking and artificial pearls, and some of the most visited caves in Spain are found within its territory.
Did you know
The city of Rafa Nadal.
This city is the birthplace of tennis player Rafael Nadal, who founded his sports academy here.
How they talk in Manacor
The Majorcan dialect uses «sa», «es» and words like «al·lot» in traditional speech. «Manacorí» is the Catalan demonym and is often seen in local associations and names.
idò
Then; so; well. Conjunction and discourse marker very common in Balearic Catalan, used to connect or introduce a response.
Everyday life in Manacor
The «perlas» made in the factory
Manacor's artificial pearls have been produced here since 1890, by hand, layer by layer: the factories can be visited and you can see the whole production process. They are the gift you give to those who visit the island.
«Las perlas se hacen a mano.» — The pearls are made by hand.
The Monday «mercat»
Every Monday the centre fills with stalls and people from nearby towns arrive to do their shopping: it is the day when everyone meets, and the bars in the square are busy from the morning.
«El lunes hay mercado.» — On Monday there is a market.
Tennis is at home here
Rafa Nadal's academy is here, and the courts can be seen from the road: many local children play, and the city has a normal, almost familiar relationship with the sport.
What to eat in Manacor
Frito mallorquín
Offal, potatoes, peppers and fennel sautéed together in a pan, rich in spices.
Tumbet
Potatoes, aubergines and peppers fried in layers, with tomato sauce on top.
Sobrasada
Soft cured pork sausage with paprika, which is spread on bread instead of being sliced.
Ensaimada
Spiral of leavened dough with lard, fluffy and dusted with icing sugar.
Festivals in Manacor
Sant Antoni
16 and 17 January
The «dimonis» roam the town among the bonfires, and the next day animals are brought to be blessed in front of the church.
What to see in Manacor
Coves del Drach
Caves with one of the largest underground lakes in the world, where live music is played on illuminated boats.
Torre dels Enagistes
14th-century fortified tower-house, now a museum of the city's history.
Església dels Dolors
The neo-Gothic church with the tallest tower on the island after the cathedral of Palma.
Perles Majorica
The factory where artificial pearls have been made since 1890, with a tour of the production process.
Where Manacor comes from
Furniture, pearls and an underground lake
Talayotic era
The talayots
The island was covered with dry-stone towers: some still stand in the fields around here.
1230
The conquest
James I took Majorca; Manacor became one of the island's great towns.
19th century
Furniture
The working of olive wood made the town the centre of Majorcan furniture.
1890 → today
Pearls
The production of artificial pearls began: they became the product for which the city is known.
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