Finca/Country House for sale in Petra, Mallorca

Petra – The Authentic Heart of Mallorca

In the heart of the Pla de Mallorca, the vast, fertile plain between the Serra de Tramuntana and Serres de Llevant mountain ranges, lies Petra—a place that showcases the true essence of life in Mallorca, far from massive hotel complexes and crowds of tourists. About 2,900 people call this picturesque rural town home, whose narrow, grid-like streets are lined with golden-brown Marès facades—the warm, honey-colored natural stone that gives the entire island its distinctive character.

Petra has made world history: In 1713, the Franciscan monk Junípero Serra was born here; he later set out for California as a missionary and founded cities such as San Francisco, San Diego, and Los Angeles—he was canonized by Pope Francis and has his own bust in the U.S. Capitol in Washington. His birthplace and the museum dedicated to him continue to attract visitors from all over the world, as do the Gothic parish church of Sant Pere with its imposing rose window and the Franciscan monastery of Sant Bernardí, built in 1677.

Those who prefer a more tranquil experience can hike or bike up to the Ermita de Bonany pilgrimage church, a few kilometers outside town, and be rewarded with one of the island’s most beautiful panoramic views. Petra is also located on the train line between Palma and Manacor—a real luxury for a town in the island’s interior, offering you the freedom to get around without a car.

And all around: rolling hills, almond, fig, and olive trees, vineyards that produce excellent red wines, as well as small cafés and restaurants on the main square where you can experience the authentic, unhurried island life. If you want to understand and learn to love Mallorca beyond the coast, this is exactly where you’ll find your starting point.