The Santuari de Sant Salvador is a fortified Sanctuary at the top of the hill on which Arta town is built. This impressive building dates back to when the Christians retook the town – then called jerta – for the Moors after them having from the Christians before that.
Indeed the town has seen all of the varied cultures that have populated mallorca though the ages including Talayots, Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Vandals, and the Moors and Christians.
On conquering Arta for the second time Jaune I had the fortress and Sanctuary built on the foundations of the old Moorish castle. The parish church of Transfiguracio del Senyor was started 10 years later and has been remodeled at various stages. The building in its current form dates mainly back to the 16th century.
The town was never, as intended, located within the fortress walls, although the people of Arta has occasion to seek refuge there from pirates through the ages. These attacks became so frequent at the beginning of the 15th century that the townsfolk had to camp “temporarily” within the fortress walls for a period of years. During this time special rules were devised to keep the peace amongst themselves let alone the pirate invaders!
The Santuri is the dominant feature of Arta and a showcase for the deep and varied history of Mallorca. The town has a great deal more to offer too both in terms of historical points-of-interest, restaurants, bars, interesting shops and more. The countryside and coastline in this region are also varied and rich in things to see and do.
For more information about Arta town and properties in the Arta area please see the following links.
≈ Location guide to Arta, Northeast Mallorca
≈ Top ten country houses for sale in Arta, Mallorca
≈ View all our selected properties sale in Arta
≈ Brief MPP to find your ideal property in Arta
Santuari de Sant Salvador – 2007: 9 photos
