Ayuntamiento de Santanyí

  

THE TOWN CENTRE

 

Plaza Major

  

La Plaza Mayor Plaça Major is the heart of the town, where the people meet and the festivals and markets are held. The Town Hall and the church, dedicated to Sant Andreu, are the two main buildings in the square. Until the 19th century a public well occupied the centre of the square.

The parish church

 

Construction began on 25 July 1786, when the rector Nicolau Pons laid the first stone of the new church. This is the reason why the town festival is celebrated on the same day. The works took 25 years. It is built with Santanyí stone. The monumental Baroque organ is the most outstanding feature among the church’s many attractive elements, including the altarpiece of the chapels and the main altarpiece made by Pere A. Umbert. It was brought from the Covent of the Dominicans in Palma after the minister Mendizábal announced the seizure of church property. Santanyí Town Hall bought the organ, which was transported by sea to Cala Figuera and then moved to the church using several carts. The organ is so big that the building had to be altered to make room. Nevertheless, the three original keyboards could not be installed and only two could be fitted in.

 

The bell tower was built in 1850 by initiative of the church administrator Oliver de ca Lluc.

El Roser

  

It is the original parish and is part of the same architectural body. It was built in the first half of the 14th century in a Romanesque and Gothic transitional style. It served as a shelter for the population during pirate raids and it was fortified as a consequence of the attacks. The ribbed vault is the most striking element of the church.

The rectory

  

The building has the appearance of a rural palace built around a courtyard with the entrance on Plaça Major. The rectory has always been located in this building. It was rebuilt in the late 16th century by the rectors Bibiloni and Porc. The spiral staircase leading to the attic and the arch granting access to the courtyard are the most striking elements. The attic was used to store the tithe wheat. The last of the many alterations of the buildings uncovered a set of painted tiles decorating one of the walls.

The Town Hall

  

The building was built in the 19th century, between 1879 and 1902, following the designs by Joan Guasp i Vicens. It was erected on the old Town Hall, dating from 1705. The only remains of the old building are a town coat of arms. It was inaugurated during the town festival in 1902 by the Mayor Joan Muntaner i Clar. It is divided into three sections: the ground floor, the first floor with a continuous balcony adjacent to the assembly hall and the upper floor with a clock built by Miquel Girbent and the bell tower that was inaugurated in 1904. Curiously the coat of arms on the facade is crowned by the symbol of the Spanish Republic since April 1931, when the monarchy was toppled and the crown was replaced by the symbols that have lasted till this day.

La Porta Murada

 

It is a 16th century gate tower on the walls of Santanyí. The village was fortified to improve its defences. Until recently, it served as a prison. The last restoration dates from 1987.

S'Abeurador (watering place)

  

S’Aberaudor is located at the end of carrer de la Paz. It was built in 1820, when the well at Plaça Major was closed. It was a watering place for animals. S’Aberaudor is also known as “sa Sínia” (waterwheel), because a wheel was used to extract water.