Santa Ponsa

Santa Ponsa (Catalan and officially: Santa Ponça) is a small town in the south-west of Majorca. Located in the municipality of Calvià, it is 18 kilometres from the capital Palma.

History

Santa Ponsa derives its name from a Roman villa called Sancta Pontia. Santa Ponsa is where King James I of Aragon (Jaume in Catalan) landed on September 12 1229 in his successful quest to conquer the island and take it from the Moors after more than 300 years of Muslim rule. Majorca became part of the Kingdom of Aragon following James's conquest, and was later annexed to the Kingdom of Spain. A cross at the entrance to the marina marks the spot where James landed. Every September there is a grand fiesta to commemorate the landing with a mock battle between the Moors and Christians on the beach. It is a two week fiesta which incorporates a pop concert and firework display.

Activities

The town is popular with people from Germany, the Netherlands, Ireland and Great Britain, many of whom own villas and apartments in the hills on each side of the bay. It is predominantly a summer town with a high season lasting from May to October but, unlike many other villages on the Balearic islands, it has a local population which sustains a number of restaurants, banks, shops and other facilities throughout the year.

Facilities

Santa Ponsa has two 18-hole golf courses named Santa Ponsa I, II and one 9-hole course called Santa Ponsa III.[1][2][3] Santa Ponsa II has hosted a PGA European Tour event and is open only to club members. Santa Ponsa II's 18th green is in the shape of the island of Majorca. It is in a pond, connected by a bridge. All three golf courses allow golf carts. The Baleares International College, an English school founded in 1956, is located on the road to the near-by village of Magaluf.

Santa Ponsa also has a private marina, Club Náutico Santa Ponsa (Santa Ponsa Yacht Club), built in 1975 within the natural cove known as "Sa Caleta". The marina can accommodate up to 522 boats from 7m to 20m in length as well as offering dry dock services.

References

  1. ↑ "Golf Santa Ponsa". Golfholidaysonline.com. Retrieved 2011-01-24.
  2. ↑ Craig Wilson. "Nova Santa Ponsa Golf Club, Spain". Ukschoolofgolf.com. Retrieved 2011-01-24.
  3. ↑ waeldermallorca.com. "Hábitat Golf Santa Ponsa". Habitatgolf.es. Retrieved 2011-01-24.

External links

Coordinates: 39°30′17″N 2°28′10″E / 39.5048°N 2.46935°E / 39.5048; 2.46935

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