Driving the tricky road to Albercutx Watchtower in Mallorca
Talaia d'Albercutx is an old surveillance tower, built to spot pirates and corsairs, at an elevation of 355m (1,164ft) above sea level located in Mallorca, Spain. The drive up there can be a bit tricky, as the road is very narrow and not in great condition.
Where is Talaia d'Albercutx?
The watchtower is located in the municipality of Pollensa, on the north coast of the island of Mallorca, near the iconic Cap de Formentor lighthouse.
Why is Talaia d'Albercutx famous?
Albercutx Watchtower is a tower surveillance against the frequent incursions of pirates and corsairs. It was part of the system of fortified and armed towers that were built on the island between the end of the 16th century and the beginning of the 17th century due to the rise of piracy actions that took place in the Mediterranean, perpetrated by figures like Barbarossa. Thanks to this system of watchtowers, if danger was seen from this or another tower, signals were emitted, smoke during the day or fire during the night, which were transmitted from one tower to another until reaching the city of Palma, at the opposite end of the island, so that part of the troops that were concentrated there could be sent.
When was the road to Talaia d'Albercutx built?
The road was built by Republican prisoners of the Spanish Civil War, in late 1939 or the early 1940s. It was entirely paved in the 1990s.
How long is the road to Talaia d'Albercutx?
The road is 2.3 km (1.42 miles) long, starting on Coll de la Creueta, a 213m mountain pass on the Ma-2210 road. The pass hosts a monument to Antonio Parietti Coll.
How challenging is the road to Talaia d'Albercutx?
The road is pretty challenging as it’s very narrow, very curvy, has more potholes than pavement, and features 4 steep hairpin turns, with the last one being extremely dangerous. It’s best not to drive the very last 200 meters, as there's not much room for two cars on the final bend, so you may need to reverse around a cliff edge with no barrier.
Is the road to Talaia d'Albercutx worth it?
The drive provides stunning views of the northern part of Mallorca. Due to its location and elevation, for centuries it was one of the main points of surveillance as it provides stunning 360º views of the bays of Alcudia and Pollenca, and the Cape of Formentor peninsula. In order to complete the drive, it's better to arrive very early in the mornings and avoid summer holidays as you’ll face a chaotic parking situation with buses, bikes, and cars everywhere.
Road suggested by: jorge manuel gómez sánchez