Deià – the artists village

Overview

Majorca is a Spanish island and Deià is a small village on the coast of this island. This village is well known for the talents of its residents in music, painting and literature. It contains olive and orange groves on the steep cliffs which made the expatriates – English, German and American return to this city after the World War I.

The origin of the name Deia is the word “ad daia” meaning hamlet. This name was given by the first Moorish settlers in the tenth century. The municipal cemetery was built in the 17th century behind the church and you get a very good view of the valley from this place. Many distinguished people have their final resting place in this cemetery.

History

The Deià valley is nearer to the seashore and has caves, wildlife, springs and fertile soil and these features made it an attractive place for settlements even during pre-historic times. In the period 10-13th centuries, Moors built terraces and irrigation systems that made this place rich in agriculture.

Many people started visiting this village in the later part of 1800s because they got attracted to the beautiful landscape and its tranquility and also because the cost of living in this village is relatively cheap. Artists, musicians, writers and celebrities throng to this village. Some of the famous persons who visited this place were – late Princess Diana, Archduke Luis Salvador and Robert Graves.

Climate

All four seasons in a year – spring, summer, autumn and winter are enjoyable in this village. The average temperature of this village is 17 °C. You will find rains in winter season.

Art and culture

The following places are popular with tourists:

1.Parish Church.

2.Monastery of Miramar – King Jaime II founded this to start a missionary school where Arab and Oriental languages were taught.

3.Cove of Dei – ideal place to swim in the calm seas.

4.Parish Museum – art works and devotional items are exhibited.

5.Archaeological Museum – American archaeologist William Waldren founded this in 1962.

6.Yanikun Museum – displays the masterpieces of Norman Jenkins Yanikun, the American painter.

Cuisine

There are about 16 restaurants in Deià out of which one has the international Michelin star rating. You can eat the cuisine of Majorca or have tapas and snacks with beers and wines pertaining to that region. These are very popular among the visitors from various places in the world.

Shopping

Tourists can do their shopping in handicraft shops and Boutiques for items required by them.

Photo Credit: Shutterstock  Pixabay