Photograph by Rachel Fox
A tantalising glimpse, a snippet of a story and then it all comes tumbling out. That is reality of life in Soller in June as the summer gets into full swing. A story came my way about the developments up at the Santa Maria d’Olivar Church on the road between Soller and Fornalutx. I’d heard earlier in the year that the religious community in Soller were calling two missionaries to come and work from this building. This is a place that has been a Monastery in its time and whose doors closed two years ago on the retirement of the remaining priest. The Sa Capelleta Church, on the same site must be one of the Hidden Valley’s best kept secrets and I went to visit to find out more.
Take the road towards Lluch from the Monument roundabout in Soller and before you reach the turning for Fornalutx there is a sign to the right for ‘Santa Maria D’Olivar’. This is very off putting because it just looks like a cobbled land and not a road you can drive down. Proceed down the cobbles and very soon you come to a proper car park in the grounds of the ecclesiastical building. This was the place the priest used to live in and now will be home to the two Nuns – Sister Mary Magdalene and Sister Carmen Bernasser – who have just arrived. The Church held a service of welcome to these two ladies who have the task of taking care of the Sa Capelleta Church and the Training Centre that is envisaged for the Monastery. They will also be part of the pastoral work of the Parish of Soller and Fornalutx.
To set the scene I must say that I was overwhelmed by the beauty of the location and the church. Sa Capelleta looks like a gothic film creation. You imagine a generation of people creating this church with their bare hands without the use of tools or machinery. Inside the church the statues are arranged in the cave like interior with light coming in at angles to shine on the statues. This used to be a favoured wedding location for generations of Sollerics and some of them have contacted me with pictures of their special day in this Hidden Valley Church.
I recommend this place to you as a great outing and an unusual place. It is also one of the sites that Sollerics walk to from locations in Soller. There is a signpost back down to Soller for walkers and many of them have simply walked past this lovely place without realising the significance. The Sisters will make an impact I am sure and this place will no longer be so hidden now that all the possibilities are being looked at. The return of Nuns to the Valley to oversee this work is being welcomed by the Church community here. Say hello to the newcomers if you go and visit I am sure that they will be very happy to welcome you to their special place in Majorca.
The other big story of the week in the area has been all down at the Port. The organisation behind the Fiesta of Sant Pere has discovered social media this year. To say that they have embraced it wholeheartedly would be an understatement. Information before and after events accompanied by copious amounts of photography have kept this Fiesta on our radar. The management team of the Port managed to get permission for overnight music finishing at 6 am on two consecutive mornings. This all sounds like a good idea when you are having fun but tempers were decidedly frayed after nights of no sleep.
Apart from the sleep issues everyone had a great time. From events for the children to the Third Age Choir of the Port giving a performance of Habaneras music it was a local affair incorporating locals and visitors alike. As the fireworks brought this years efforts to a close this will not be the end of the memories. The team that kept you in the loop via Face book are getting good at it now and there will be very regular updates before we do it all again next year.
The summer music of the Hidden Valley has a huge boost this week with The Archdukes Concert at Deia Church on Friday 4th July 2014 at 20.30 pm. Solleric musicians Fiona Stuart Wilson (soprano) – Lars Fakeback (lute) – Niklas Enevold (viola) join Tamara Heldeveld (harp) from Alaro to bring early music to the Hidden Valley. A snippet of this has been available to watch on utube and the power of social media was once again evident. The superb music, the talent, the early instruments and Fiona’s wonderful voice in the setting of Deia Church is such a treat. The location of Deia Church has not been used for sometime for concerts so this is another reason to get there to listen to the sound within those wonderful acoustics.
So much planning of so many things in the Valley this week and they are all coming together beautifully. Hope to see you there soon …
