Esporles is a charming mountain town at the foot of the Serra de Tramuntana, whose main attraction lies in Sa Granja, a beautiful rustic building, a remnant of the feudal past of the country.
The city is divided into Old Town (Vilavella) and New Town (Vilanova). Its approximately 4,500 inhabitants call Esporlerí and Esporlerina.
Esporles is also a municipality on its territory are the villages of Rotgetes, Ses Canet and Es Verger.
Esporles is a word of Mozarabic origin, itself derived from the Latin word sportulis, basket. It seems that the name is due to the presence of a basketry craft palm leaves.
S’Esgleieta drifts from esgleya diminutive of "church".
The municipality of Esporles is located in the western part of the island of Majorca and occupies part of the southern slope of the Serra de Tramuntana. The city of Esporles is the valley of Esporles, straddling the river that runs through the village.
Esporles is located 13 km northwest of Palma. We can get there from Palma taking the road to Valldemossa, and turning left at a junction located 9 km after Palma. You can also get there via Establiments.
The center of the village, up a lane through a forest of oaks to the Hermitage of Maristella.
The Parish Church of Esporles
The church of Esporles, as in any medieval town, was of great importance, and was actually the center of city life. The first parish church of Esporles already mentioned in 1248, was a simple construction in the early Gothic style, and probably only one nave.
In the sixteenth century, the church had three altars, including the altar of the Virgen del Rosario and San Antonio. The construction of the second church began in the early years of the eighteenth century, it was inaugurated in 1720 - and was promoted by the Rector Joan B. Vanrell.
The present church, begun in 1904 and consecrated in 1923, was based on a design by architect Gaspar Bennàssar and meets neo-Gothic lines by which the architect wanted to pay tribute to the Cathedral of Palma, the Lonja and in Santa Eulalia. The parish of Esporles had three suffragan churches Banyalbufar, S’Esgleieta and Establiments.
The church of Esporles is dedicated to Sant Crist of Peas, patron saint of textile industry has long disappeared from the city.
The Port of the Canon (Port des Canonge)
The nearest sea point of Esporles is the quiet seaside resort of Port des Canonge, about 5 minutes from the city. We achieved this "hidden place in the world" by a long winding road to single track, sometimes terrifying. But it is certainly worth the trip!
The story of Esporles start in 1229 when the Catalan troops conquered the Muslim city of Medina Mayurqa. After the conquest began the distribution of land, failing to Esporles Knight NunoSanç, Nuno Sanç died childless and the township passed the royal domain.
The population was concentrated around the parish church since the late thirteenth century, this area is traditionally known as the Old City (Vilavella).
The Municipality of Esporles was once formed valleys Banyalbufar, Superna, Bunolí and Esporles. Esporles shared the same administration with the municipality of Banyalbufar until the mid-nineteenth century, although relations between the two people to hold the seat of the administration had asked a lot of problems for centuries. The municipal system was in the hands of a council of notables: Royal Mayor, the Jurors and Advisors "Clavari".
The economy of Esporles was traditionally based on agriculture (orange and almond trees) and livestock, as can be seen in the farm museum Sa Granja.
The city was also an important center for the textile industry of the island has prospered thanks to the abundant source of water that collects rainwater collected by the mountains. This textile industry there are only remnants like factories or empty buildings. Most of them are converted into housing.
As in most of the Balearic Islands activity is now based on tourism, but most of its residents work in Palma.
Location.jpg "Location Esporles Mallorca (author Joan M. Borras). Click to enlarge the image.")
Visits
Farm of Esporles (
The Hermitage Maristella
The Parish Church of 
The Port of the Canon (
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.jpg "Carob Esporles. Click to enlarge the image.")
.jpg "Almond orchard in Esporles. Click to enlarge the image.")
