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Alaro is picturesquely situated community at the foot of the Tramuntana with about 5200 inhabitants. It is best known for a ruined castle on the 825 metre high Puig de Alaro.
A fortress in a picture book
The Castell d`Alaro is one of three rock castles in Mallorca. The ingestible fort was fought bitterly over the centuries. The origin of the fort can not be dated exactly. It is possible that it was built by the Romans, as they also built the lines of defence at the foot of the mountain lines. It is clear that the castle was occupied by the Arabs in 902, which they so called "hisn al-rum" Roman fortress. It is believed that the place name "Alaro" is derived from this name.
In 1231 the fort was surrendered without a fight to the Christian re conquerers. When the Aragonese king Alfonso II. attacked the island in 1285 to punish his nephew, James II. for his apostasy, the castle rock was besieged for years. The leaders of the formidable opposition, Guillem Bassa and Guillem Cabrit are still regarded as local heros of Alaró. When King Alfonso II. was finally able to take hold the castle, he cruelly executed them by impaling them and roasting them alive. For this act Alfonso was excommunicated by the Pope permanently. Jaume II. regained his kingdom of Mallorca, and swore loyalty to Aragón. However, after the final destruction of the kingdom under Pere IV., the Castell d'Alaro fell in 1349, and gradually disintegrated in the two following centuries.
Naturpark Alaro
A culinary challenging hike
Today, the romantic ruins of Alaro are one of the most popular attractions of the island. The beautiful views of the Tramuntana mountains on one side, and plane of Mallorca "Es Plá" on the other side make the roughly two-hour summit highly rewarding. If you want, you can also spend the night (by appointment) in the recently renovated hiking hut. Hardly missing a visitor is the nearby restaurant below the ruins "Es Verger". In rustic ambience you can enjoy a leg of lamb famed throughout the island. For lovers of Majorcan cuisine, the earthy restaurant with its open fires is an absolute must.
Puig de Alaro
A village on the pulse
At the foot of the rock castle lies the peaceful village "Alaro". It is the administrative seat of the homonymous municipality, which is characterised primarily by agriculture. Around Alaro you will find almonds, olives and wine in particular. Once many Alaro inhabitants also worked in the mining industry. For over 100 years they brought coal up from up from 200 metres of depth. The energy wealth of the community led to the construction of a power plant in 1901. Alaro was the first village in Mallorca with a power supply. This course, still remains today, even if the Alaró colliery closed in 1987.
Plaza in Alaro
Today, the inhabitants enjoy a modern sports complex with tennis courts, a swimming pool and a football field. Even if the traditions are upheld in Alaro and one feels a typical Mallorcan flair here, the village has always moved with the times. Newer or lovingly restored houses as such dominate the suburbs of the village. Alaro is best to visit on a Saturday, when it boasts a colourful weekly market in the town square.
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