Valldemossa

I'm learning my way around the island and was able to skirt downtown Palma to get back up into the Serra de Traumuntana.  Much nicer avoiding the downtown traffic.  I started out for the town of Valldemossa, which is crawling with tourists because it's home to the second-most visited tourist site in Mallorca (after the cathedral) - because of the Real Cartuja de Valldemossa. 



Like so many of the towns in the Serra, Valldemossa is situated on a steep hillside.  Jaume II chose this location to build a palace for his son Sanxo in 1310 AD.  Its location at over 400 meters (1,312 feet) above sea level made breathing easier for his asthmatic son.  It didn't stay in royal hands for long.  In 1399 it was given to the Carthusian monks for whom it served as a monastary.  Martín el Humano gave it away when the Kingdom of Mallorca was annexed to the Aragón crown.



The monks' pharmacy, which was established at the beginning of the 18th century and served the entire town, is still in place.  The photo can't capture the look of a room with all four walls lined with these old bottles and ceramic containers.



The Carthusian order was pretty severe.  Monks lived in almost total isolation from each other.  Most of their meals were provided to them through a small hatch that provided access into their cell so they had no contact with the lay brothers who prepared their meals.  They were allowed to eat together one meal per week on Sunday for 30 minutes.  That was the only time they could break their vow of silence.  They didn't eat meat except when they were sick they were allowed some turtle soup.  Three days a week they feasted on bread and water.