Son real is a fascinating archaeological site combined with an educational farm on the Northern coast of Mallorca
A popular place for a schooltrip, the public finca of Son Real near Son Serra de Marina offers an interesting mix of ancient archaeology and traditional farm animals. But a beauty of ‘Balears Natura’, Son Real should not be kept exclusively for school children with clipboards.
A day out in Son Real will reward you with animals, woodland, picnic areas, beach, rock pools, a refuge, a seemingly natural swimming pool and if that wasn’t enough, a pre-talayotic town, megalithic sepulchres, and a talayotic necropolis are there for exploration.
As you arrive at the finca, which is located halfway between Can Picafort and Son Serra de Marina, the estate – you will discover the Manor House, workers’ cottages, a courtyard and more dating back to the middle ages. The museum inside the Manor House is the display case for archaeological remains that were found on the estate, while new houses built in the last century are used for the information centre.
On the farm, there are native breeds of animals including sheep, black pigs, chickens, turkeys, donkeys, etc, which are raised and cared for. The agriculture is totally ecological, with crops of almonds, carob and figs the most prominent. The wealth and variety of the landscape is magnificent and pine tree groves, holm oaks, sand dunes, cultivated lands and low hills as well as the diverse flora and fauna add to the finca’s beauty. The population of Mediterranean turtles is of particular interest.
In the reserved hunting areas, the dubious “sport” of hunting thrushes continues but is strictly controlled and only traditional “filats” (hunting nets) can be placed in the narrow passage between trees. That said, Son Real still preserves some elements of human intervention on the landscape. Sandstone and sand quarries, old paths and a bunker are among the sights as well as the towers along the bay of Alcúdia, which were used in submarine exercises to help find the position lines, during the post-war period. It is the access to the beach, that is the jewel in the crown.
A 2km walk along a well-trodden path takes you through the dunes and woodland to reach the refuge and a beach that has enough rockpools to keep the children entertained all afternoon, before the walk back again. Remember to take hats, suncream and enough water.
It is along this beach where you can find the ancient Necropolis. You can reach the site on foot from Son Baulo in Can Picafort, or you can walk through the Son Real estate, both are beautiful walks and will reward you with some great views, fresh sea air and wildlife. Once you reach the ancient cemetery you will find an area of 1,000m2, where there are around 130 tombs containing approximately 400 burials. The necropolis is unique in Mallorca and the Western Mediterranean, the stone tombs known as navetas resemble upturned boats and can be dated between 7BC and 2BC, after which burials became more common in rectangular graves.
Almost all the tombs contain burials along with metal, bone, glass or pottery goods, which were left in the tombs as well. Experts believe that with the presence of armaments and musical instruments, burial rituals contributed to the bonding of the living with their ancestors. The distinctive tombs and the items of value found within them suggest that they were intended for leaders of the community.
Arqueo Mallorca write, “Son Real was without doubt a special space, magical, intended for a chosen few who, generation after generation, were buried with the hope of starting a new life, a new life beyond what their eyes could see, beyond their world and the sea, before which the necropolis still resists the passage of time.” Archaeologists are now campaigning to keep up this resistance both to the sea and to plunderers.
