New sculpture garden opens at Belmond La Residencia, Mallorca
A trip to Deià on the north coast of Majorca is a must for anyone wishing to experience the diversity that this beautiful island has to offer.
Culturally, Deià is the hub that has consistently, over the decades, attracted literary and musical residents, as they found the area met their requirements as a nucleus for creativity. Notably, the poet, novelist, and scholar, Robert Graves settled here and is buried in the local graveyard.
Earlier this month, hotel Belmond La Residencia, opened a sculpture garden in its grounds with creations by Jeroni Bosch, Pep Canyelles, Julio Bauzà, Joan Costa, Pierre Mari Desvigne, Patrick Guino and Martín Mas, amongst others.
The idea of the sculpture garden stemmed from Juan Waelder, resident sculptor at the Gallery Sa Tafona at La Residencia. His vision of collaboration culminated in the work of 18 artists featuring permanently in the gardens. His aim now is to build on the cultural aspect by holding seminars and workshops.
Patrick Guino, who lives and works in Bunyola, is one of the contributing artists. Guino works with solids; the three futuristic pieces he created for the garden are made from granite and magma and were inspired by nature and ‘bioform’.
Set amongst lemon and orange groves, the sculptures are a wonder to behold. After admiring the works of art dotted around the gardens you can treat yourself to lunch or dinner on the Son Moragues Terrace - overlooking the Tramuntana mountains and the picturesque village of Deià.
Belmond La Residencia is not your average hotel. It prides itself on being “a high-end, luxury hotel for those looking for something special; a hotel that somehow does not feel like a hotel but more like a stately home”. They also focus on offering guests 'local flavour', an experience rather than just a relaxing break.
The extensive property produces organic fruit and vegetables, marmalade and olive oil, which it uses in its award winning restaurant El Olivo, set in what was once an olive press.
The residence was tastefully decorated by George Sheridan, part of the ‘Deu de Teix’ group of artists (deu meaning '10' and the 'Teix' being a local mountain). This tradition continued after his death, with Sheridan’s artist wife, Cecile Sheridan, now in charge of the hotel’s art exhibitions, art collection and the weekly ‘walk and talk’ tour whereby guests visit local artists and their studios.
The hotel offers a multitude of both leisure and cultural activities including art tours, donkey trails, a visit to an oil press in Sóller or a local winery, day excursions to Cala Deià, boat cruises, ballooning and even helicopter rides. It also has on-site tennis courts and a spa.
The spa has selection of signature treatments incorporating its own olive oil (with denomination of origin) and locally produced orange and lemon essence, almonds and lavender.
So, with parking at a premium in Deià, the public car park right next to hotel makes for an easy start to a beautiful day.
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