Puigpunyent

Puigpunyent is a municipality in western Majorca, one of the Balearic Islands, Spain.It is hard to imagine a place of such unusual beauty. The situation is idyllic, surrounded by high mountains covered in pine and evergreen oak woodland and olive, almond and carob tree groves as well as tidily cultivated fields, stands a majestic country houses which we call possessions. Traditionally these grand estates were the nucleus of village life. Until the middle of the twentieth century, agriculture and cattle raising were the two main occupations of the residents. The town is still a very tranquil spot where you can wander through the winding narrow lanes.The valley of Puigpunyent was one of the first inhabited areas on the island. This is clearly visible through the amount of talaiots that can be found in the area. Examples can be seen in Son Serralta, Son Burguet and Son Puig, plus the necropolis of Casat Nou. These early inhabitants also left proof of their productive cattle breeding and agriculture.The Romans too inhabited the area and the little that is left of their presence can be found at Es Collet and in the consolidation of the olive, cereal and wine production.During the Moorish period the village belonged to juz´d´Al-Ahwâz. They left behind their knowledge of the use of irrigation. The six water mills, the numerous water canals, fountains, channels for the torrents, ponds and reservoirs are good examples of their work and development of the horticulture. Found at the Es Ratxo.After reclaiming the island, and having divided the land as explained in the Llibre del Repartiment (1232), the Catalans arrived under the leadership of the Bishop of Barcelona, Berenguer de Palou, who was given the village of Puigpunyent. For this reason, and until only a few years ago, all the possessions in the village had a hut for the diezmo (a tax that every inhabitant had to pay the Church and represented 10% of their production). The church of Puigpunyent was one of the first to be built in Mallorca, and was authorised by Pope Innocence III, in 1237. During this period the cultivation of olive trees and vineyards increased.