Escorca

Escorca is a municipality on the Spanish Balearic island of Mallorca in the region ( comarca ) Serra de Tramuntana. It is the only municipality of Majorca, which has to have no real center. The only thing that reminds of a populated area, the buildings around the large square in Lluc and the small town of Sa Calobra.

The municipality has 252 inhabitants Escorca ( effective 1st January 2013) over an area of ​​139.33 km ². This corresponds to 2 inhabitants per km ². In 2006, the proportion of foreigners was 3.3 % (10 persons), the proportion of German population 0.3 % (1 person). The official languages ​​are Catalan and Spanish ( Castilian). The spoken on the island Catalan dialect is called Mallorquí.

• 3.1 Museums
• 3.2 Structures
• 3.3 Natural Monuments
• 3.4 walks
• 3.5 Fixed

• 4.1 Education

Geography

Geographical Location

Escorca located on the north west coast of Mallorca in the mountains of the Serra de Tramuntana, about 47 kilometers north of the capital Palma. By the end of July 1961 the municipal area extends opened highway MA- 10 of Sóller and Pollença. In Lluc road MA -2130 branches off towards Inca. Escorca is known but for the approximately 14 -kilometer-long winding road MA- 2141, which overcomes the MA -10 down to the coast at Sa Calobra a difference in altitude of about 800 meters.

The community has a stake in the north-west coast of Majorca about Punta de Cala Roja to it Musclos de ses Cordes. This stretch of coast is characterized by towering cliffs with spectacular bay notches, where the torrents ( torrents ) derive the often heavy rains of the mountain into the sea.

Neighboring communities

In the southwest of the communities Fornalutx, Sóller and Bunyola bordering the municipality of Escorca. They belong as well as the northeast adjacent municipality of Pollença and also Escorca itself to the region Serra de Tramuntana. South-east borders the Raiguer region with the municipalities Alaro, Mancor de la Vall, Selva and Campanet to the area of Escorca.

Community structure

The municipality includes the villages Escorca Sa Calobra - Cala Tuent, Escorca and Lluc. The inhabitants of these villages are called in the Mallorcan native language " calobrí ", " Tuenter " and " lluquer " ( the female " calobrina ", " tuentera " and " lluquera ").

• Cala Tuent (40 inhabitants)
• Escorca (132 inhabitants)
• Lluc (59 inhabitants)

The inhabitants numbers in parentheses are from 1 January 2007. Figures for Escorca relate the " scattered " population living with one. (Source: INE )

Natural environment and cultural landscape

Escorca occupies the central part of the mountain range of the Serra de Tramuntana, a Landschaftsgut of the highest value. Of the numerous calcareous land, the rain water ample " plowshares " formed with rocks whose furrows arise bizarre forms. The torrents have eroded deep water pipes, such as the Torrent de Pareis, sa Fosca, Torrent de Lluc or the torrent of Guix al Salt de la Bella Dona. In this area there are also spectacular caves such as the Cova de sa Campana or the Cova de ses Bruixes and other underground formations.

Fauna and flora are important in this area, partly due to the large number of oak trees. Special importance attaches to the botanical plants that are rooted at the top of the Tramuntana Mountains. So here are small yew forests and vast lawns that cover the valleys, as well as the thickets on the slopes.

Rural life is based on the operation of large properties with large mansions as Binifaldó, albarca, ses Tosses, Mortitx, Turixant or Mossa, some of which even have an observation tower, which formerly served the monitoring. Other art treasures of this community are the snow houses, which are found in large numbers near the summit and the watchtowers that guarded the coastal area, such as na Seca, Morro de Tuent, sa Calobra and Torre de Lluc.

The "spiritual architecture" is represented by the church of Sant Pere d' Escorca and the chapel of Sant Llorenç de Tuent. But is particularly outstanding, the complex of the monastery Lluc.

Within the area are the highest mountains of Mallorca:

• Puig Major ( 1445 meters)
• Puig de Massanella ( 1365 meters)
• Puig Tomir (1103 meters)
• Puig Roig ( 1003 meters)

Climate

The average rainfall is in the region 1200-1300 liters per square meter as an annual average, with approximately 145 liters per square meter covered the most rainfall in October. The driest period is in July with only about 13 liters. In the winter months also falls within the high altitudes snow.

History

• The origin of the place name is derived Escorca "place of the Guard " from the primitive Roman word " skulka ".

• History of the Black Madonna. After the Reconquista, as the Christians had reconquered under James I of Majorca, an Arab couple lost his farm in mountains of the Tramuntana to the new rulers. In order to survive, they changed to the Christian faith and had their children baptized. The small Lukas ( mallorqui Lluc ) was responsible for the goats and sheep as a shepherd. One day Lluc took in the undergrowth of the Massis perceive a strange glow. Curious, he stalked zoom and discovered a small statue of Mary. He was amazed, because the character had the same dark skin color as him. Excited, he brought the Madonna as pastor of the church of Sant Pere of Escorca. When the next day the news spread to the Tramuntana wind, came all the faithful to see the miracle. But she was gone. On the same day Lluc was the figure at the same place as before again. He brought her back again, the pastor asked the Black Madonna back in the bay, to determine again the next day, she was gone. Very often repeated the game until the priest a thought came: The Black Madonna wanted to stay where Lluc they had discovered. In honor of the Madonna of minorities, a chapel was built on the site. Today's pilgrimage, the hermitage Nostra Senyora de Lluc, was built in 1260 with the laying of the cornerstone and is now run by monks of the Sacred Heart.

• The name of the Templars - Order of the Poor Knights of Christ - played a large role in the history of the community. Under James I of this Order was in 1229 involved in the Christian invasion of the island of Mallorca. In gratitude for the successful conquest of the Templars received next 525 horses and more than 359 town and manor houses, the vast lands in Escorca, Montuïri and Pollença, where they established themselves and now occupied a position that is a council offices at least comparable with the.

Culture and sights

Museums

• Museu de Lluc: with finds from the caves in the area Escorca ( prehistoria ), ceramics, drawings, paintings etc.

Structures

• Sanctuary of Lluc sanctuary and place of pilgrimage in the 13th century
• Mansions Binifaldó, albarca, Ses Tosses, Mortitx, Turixant and Mossa

Natural Monuments

• Torrent de Pareis
• Sa Calobra
• Cala Tuent

Hiking

The area of Escorca is an ideal starting point for many hikes.

The refuge Tossals Verds, ownership by the Consell de Mallorca is intended to facilitate the practice of hiking in all its modalities and to promote the educational and research activities of the mountain. The cottage, 540 meters high located in the heart of the Serra de Tramuntana and the GR 221, is anyone a small fee for use. From there you can explore the snow houses of the Tramuntana Mountains.

Festivals

• Sant Pere on June 29
• Sant Llorenç on August 10
• Concert Coral ( choral concert ) on the second Sunday in July
• Diada de Lluc on the second Sunday in September

Economy and infrastructure

Education

Part of the population of the municipality Escorca has no education (about 42 people). Primary education have about 72 people and about 43 people have the high school. About 7 people have different vocational training degree. With grammar school there in the region Escorca about 13 people and about 6 with an average university degree. About 8 people carry a higher academic title.