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We have experienced a very positive start to the New Year with an active January on the real estate market, successfully closing 9 sales with prices up to 2 m €. This is for the beginning of the year, which normally is a quiet time,... |
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In the picturesque village of Sa Coma at Mallorca’s far western tip lies a most pleasant surprise. Situated just a few minutes drive from Puerto Andratx, one of the most desirable and prestigious residential locations on the island, is the Andratx Cultural Centre. |
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A hundred years have past since Art Nouveau was at its peak. Spurred by the industrial revolution, it was the product of a new generation of talented artists ... |
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Back in the 1950’s when American born Steve Kusak purchased with three other friends what he considered to be a “ typical Mallorcan finca”, little did he know that he had instigated the birth of the most luxurious and charismatic urbanisation on the island: Son Vida. |
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Mallorca certainly has its fair share of famous visitors, many of them purchasing homes here, drawn by the islands natural beauty and tranquillity... |
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In the shadow of Palma’s magnificent Cathedral lays one of the few remaining testaments of the three hundred year Moorish occupation |
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On a small isle off the Western corner of Mallorca, dragons roam wild and free; or so legend would have us believe. Sa Dragonera Island, situated less than a kilometre from the coast, was most likely named after its shape, ... |
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First Mallorca, Heidi Stadler reports the sale of properties for the third quarter 2009 is getting better and the usual confidence in investments in the island is slowly but surely returning. |
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A relaxed get-together of international clientele and local dignities took place at the First Mallorca offices in Puerto Andratx last Saturday, 10th of October. |
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The narrow stone staircase spirals downwards into blackness. A quick inspection soon reveals there is no arrow or sign explaining where it leads. ... |
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The real Dragons of Sa Dragonera
On a small isle off the Western corner of Mallorca, dragons roam wild and free; or so legend would have us believe. Sa Dragonera Island, situated less than a kilometre from the coast, was most likely named after its shape, rather than the mythical creatures that roam it, or for the fact that another kind of Dragon, equally as reptilian, just slightly smaller, has made its home there: one that the locals call the “Sargantana”.
The Lilfords Lizard, as it is more widely known, is endemic to only a handful of the smaller isles around Mallorca and Menorca, where there has been very little human impact. Greenish brown in colour and rather dainty looking in comparison with the geckos that are seen scaling the walls on the larger islands, the presence and boldness of the Sargantana on Sa Dragonera is quite remarkable, something that a short boat trip to the island will prove.
From the moment you disembark, you cannot fail to spot the lizards everywhere, particularly during the warmer months when they are most active. It is quite easy to approach them; they appear surprisingly unafraid, although offering them leftovers of your picnic is particularly discouraged by the Ministry of the Environment, who spend long hours carefully monitoring their feeding habits!
Sa Dragonera is not just home to the Sargantana, but many other protected and endangered species. Perhaps that is why, after some 20 years of perseverance by the islands ecological group GOB, the Mallorcan Government declared it a National Park in January of 1995;
Although not endangered, the Sargantana continues to be a “high priority” protected species on a European scale, for together with the Balearic Toad, they are the oldest land based vertebrae in Mallorca. Although they are not too at risk from predators, they are rather sensitive to changes in their environment, and any new species introduced to the island must be carefully monitored, so as not to disturb their habitat.
Sa Dragonera Island is almost four kilometres in length and offers superb nature walks that abound in typical Mediterranean flora, and a chance to visit the old lighthouse at the highest point on the island.
A selection of boat excursions run to the island all summer, both from Puerto Andratx and Sant Elm – the picturesque village nearest to Sa Dragonera – which take you to the tiny harbour, leaving you with ample time to roam at leisure.
For more information regarding the islands flora and fauna, and details of boat excursions, visit http://www.conselldemallorca.net/dragonera/
Photo: Ingo Mehling. Published under GNU Free Documentation License
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