Exploring The Art Of Majorca

The beautiful Spanish Balearics are a firm favourite with holidaymakers from all over the world. Visitors return year after year to experience the wonderful hospitality of the sun drenched islands of Minorca, Ibiza and Majorca. Family holidays to any of the islands are ideal with a slew of activities, wonderful food and, of course, endless sunshine. But if you and your family are a little on the creative side, Majorca also has a surprising number of ways to satisfy your inner artist.

Museum of Contemporary Spanish Art

The Spanish are a fiercely proud people and they cherish their art and artists. One place you should not miss on your arty Majorca family holidays is the contemporary art museum in Palma. The Museu d Art Espanyol Contemporani houses an extensive collection which rivals some of the major art centres of Madrid and Barcelona. You will see works from such renowned greats of the 20th Century as Juan Gris, Miro, Picasso and Salvador Dali, as well as some of Spains most revered contemporary artists. Along with the permanent exhibits, the gallery also has various temporary international exhibits. There are lots of events and workshops for both adults and children and the only complaints you will have from the kids is when it is time to leave!

The Miro Foundation

While youre in Palma another must see is the Pilar i Joan Miro Mallorca Foundation. One of Spains most famous artists, Miro lived on Majorca for nearly thirty years. The Foundation is a wonderful representation of his lifes work and includes not only a collection of paintings and drawings, but also many important documents and letters. If the kids are not already fans of Miro, your Majorca family holidays are an ideal time to introduce them to his colourful and impressive works.

Museu Municipal de Pollenca

In the delightful town of Pollenca, which is a definite must see location on your Majorca family holidays, make sure you visit the Museu Municipal de Pollenca. It will be a firm favourite with the children, if only for the striking building in which it is housed. An old Dominican monastery, the museum contains a fantastic selection of sacred Gothic art as well some very interesting archaeological finds. Dont miss the Prehistoric Room where children will be entranced by the ancient exhibits. Perhaps the most beautiful item however, is the exquisite Tibetan sand painting which was gifted to the museum by the Dalai Lama.

Museu Mart Vicenc

Also in Pollenca, in terms of art this intimate and evocative gallery may be more suited to the adults in the family, but the children will enjoy the exhibits covering the evolution of human beings. While they are enjoying that, parents can take their time strolling through the rooms and halls of this stunning 300 year old building. There is an extensive collection of traditional arts and crafts of the island, as well as some wonderful textile exhibits by the Spanish artist Marti Vicenc for whom the museum is named. It is a very personal space with many strange looking exhibits the artist loved to collect for reasons only known to her. While on your Majorca family holidays you will see many examples of traditional artisan textiles and this museum is a great place to learn about some of their history.