Pedruxella Gran is one of the most historic Posesiones in northern Mallorca and its aquaduct, Moorish Tower, and olive press are included in Spain’s historic catalog. The property has been occupied for nearly a millennium but has its current roots in the 13th century when the Moors ruled the island.
Watchtower
Many of the original Arabic features remain. At the heart is the watchtower in the working patio (where the wash basins, bread ovens, and other work was historically done). The tower has an internal spiral staircase that leads up to the room where sausages and hams have been hung for centuries.
Olive Press
The olive press may be last working traditional press on the island. During the fall olive season, the estate hosts “tafonas”, or olive pressings, for friends and other invited guests. The day starts with traditional olive collecting on the farm – using nets and long sticks – and ends with a pa’ amb oli – a delicious Mallorquin dish of farm bread, tomatoes, garlic, salt and, of course, the oil just made by stone and oak beam presses.
Aqueduct
The estate has one of the largest aqueducts on the island. It backs the vegetable garden, protecting it from the wind, and still carries water – now in pipes – down from sources high on the property. An intricate system of water canals built by the Moors channel water off the terraces. Numerous lime kilns dot the property, where rocks were burned to create the calcium for white-washing and construction, and stone ‘carbon circles’ were used to make charcoal.