Ses Salines

The stone quarried here is called marès, a type of calcareous sandstone characteristic of the Balearics. An estimated one sixth of Mallorca’s surface consists of it. The cathedral, Castell de Bellver and countless farm walls in the south were built from this stone.

Freshly quarried, it is soft enough to saw by hand, then hardens in the air. Rather than blasting it, quarry workers cut blocks and lifted them out individually. The craft has its own name, trencador de marès, and is now recognised as intangible cultural heritage.

The measurements are interesting too. Standard pieces were cut from the rough block, known as the rodona. The most common, the cantó, measures 60 by 33 by 33 centimetres. This standard size explains many building proportions across the south, from wall thicknesses to window surrounds and arches. It helps explain why village houses share so many features.

In the centre, a lane forks around a tall, windowless rubble-stone gable wall, opposite an old marès doorway. The stone is warmer and yellower than in the Pla because it comes from a different local source.

The village takes its name from the saltworks several kilometres south-west, where sea salt is still harvested. There are no salt pans or beaches among its houses. To see the pools, head towards Colònia de Sant Jordi and Es Trenc.

On the outskirts is a large botanical garden specialising in cacti and succulents, with ponds and areas of Mallorcan and tropical vegetation. It is one of Europe’s largest gardens of its kind and the main reason to make a special trip to Ses Salines.

Ses Salines is your last stop for supplies before the southern tip. Fill up, buy anything you need and withdraw cash here. These services are not available at Cap de ses Salines.