Santa Ponsa
Encyclopedia
Santa Ponsa is a holiday resort in the south-west of Majorca. Located in the municipality of Calvià
, it is 18 kilometres from the capital Palma
.
(Jaume in Catalan) landed on September 12 1229 in his quest to conquer the island and take it from the Moors
after more than 300 years of Muslim rule. Majorca became part of the Kingdom of Aragon
following James's conquest, and was later annexed to the Kingdom of Spain
. A cross at the entrance to the marina marks the spot where James landed. Every September there is a grand fiesta to commemorate the landing with a mock battle between the Moors and Christians on the beach. It is a two week fiesta which incorporates a pop concert and firework display.
, Irish
, German
and Dutch
; many people of these nationalities own villas and apartments on the hills either side of the bay. It is predominantly a summer resort with a high season lasting from May to October.
s named Santa Ponsa I, II and one 9-hole course called Santa Ponsa III. Santa Ponsa II has hosted a PGA European Tour event and is open only to club members. Santa Ponsa II's 18th green is in the shape of the island of Majorca. It is in a pond, connected by a bridge. All three golf courses allow golf carts.
Calvià
Calvià is a municipality on the island of Majorca, part of the Spanish autonomous community of the Balearic Islands. It is located in the southwestern part of the island of Majorca, between the Serra de Tramuntana and the Serra de Na Burguesa. The municipal seat is the town of Vila Calvia.Calvià...
, it is 18 kilometres from the capital Palma
Palma de Mallorca
Palma is the major city and port on the island of Majorca and capital city of the autonomous community of the Balearic Islands in Spain. The names Ciutat de Mallorca and Ciutat were used before the War of the Spanish Succession and are still used by people in Majorca. However, the official name...
.
History
Santa Ponsa derives its name from a Roman villa called Sancta Pontia. Santa Ponsa is where King James the FirstJames I of Aragon
James I the Conqueror was the King of Aragon, Count of Barcelona, and Lord of Montpellier from 1213 to 1276...
(Jaume in Catalan) landed on September 12 1229 in his quest to conquer the island and take it from the Moors
Moors
The description Moors has referred to several historic and modern populations of the Maghreb region who are predominately of Berber and Arab descent. They came to conquer and rule the Iberian Peninsula for nearly 800 years. At that time they were Muslim, although earlier the people had followed...
after more than 300 years of Muslim rule. Majorca became part of the Kingdom of Aragon
Aragon
Aragon is a modern autonomous community in Spain, coextensive with the medieval Kingdom of Aragon. Located in northeastern Spain, the Aragonese autonomous community comprises three provinces : Huesca, Zaragoza, and Teruel. Its capital is Zaragoza...
following James's conquest, and was later annexed to the Kingdom of Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
. A cross at the entrance to the marina marks the spot where James landed. Every September there is a grand fiesta to commemorate the landing with a mock battle between the Moors and Christians on the beach. It is a two week fiesta which incorporates a pop concert and firework display.
Activities
The resort is popular with BritishBritish people
The British are citizens of the United Kingdom, of the Isle of Man, any of the Channel Islands, or of any of the British overseas territories, and their descendants...
, Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
, German
Germans
The Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe. The English term Germans has referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages....
and Dutch
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
; many people of these nationalities own villas and apartments on the hills either side of the bay. It is predominantly a summer resort with a high season lasting from May to October.
Facilities
Santa Ponsa has two 18-hole golf courseGolf course
A golf course comprises a series of holes, each consisting of a teeing ground, fairway, rough and other hazards, and a green with a flagstick and cup, all designed for the game of golf. A standard round of golf consists of playing 18 holes, thus most golf courses have this number of holes...
s named Santa Ponsa I, II and one 9-hole course called Santa Ponsa III. Santa Ponsa II has hosted a PGA European Tour event and is open only to club members. Santa Ponsa II's 18th green is in the shape of the island of Majorca. It is in a pond, connected by a bridge. All three golf courses allow golf carts.
- Santa Ponsa will host the Balearic Islands node of the COMETACometa (HVDC)COMETA is an undersea electric power transmission system being constructed between mainland Spain and the island of Majorca. It will connect Morvedre near Valencia and Santa Ponsa near Palma de Mallorca...
electric power transmission system from the Spanish mainland when completed in 2011.