On August 12, Mallorca will be one of the best places in the world to witness the total eclipse. Sa Foradada, the iconic hollowed rock of Tramontana, stands out as the most coveted viewpoint, but access will be restricted.
On August 12, Mallorca will become one of the most privileged locations on the planet to observe a total solar eclipse. The phenomenon, coinciding with the peak tourist month, will offer a unique image: the sun will disappear very low over the Mediterranean, providing a scene that is hard to match. Among the sites generating the most excitement is Sa Foradada, the great hollowed rock that emerges in front of the cliffs of the Tramontana mountain range, considered almost the Mallorcan equivalent of the Faraglioni of Capri.
However, getting there will not be an easy task. The Balearic Government has announced that, starting at three in the afternoon, traffic will be restricted on the Ma-10 road and access to Sa Foradada will be specifically controlled. Only residents, guests with accredited accommodation, essential services, and regular public transport will be allowed to continue. The aim is to prevent uncontrolled access to one of the most protected and well-preserved areas of the Mallorcan coast, a representation of the island that is situated in stark contrast to Magaluf and the binge-drinking tourism.
The fact that this part of Tramontana has remained virtually intact until today holds a unique story, featuring a beloved figure on the island: Luis Salvador of Austria, simply known as the Archduke. More than one hundred and fifty years ago, he began purchasing the estates between Valldemossa and Deià to prevent the felling of its forests and, inadvertently, also saved one of the most extraordinary places from which Mallorca will witness the sun's disappearance.
Luis Salvador first arrived on the island in 1867, when he was 20 years old. Born in the Pitti Palace in Florence, he belonged to one of the most powerful dynasties in Europe and was a cousin of Empress Sissi, but he felt much more comfortable among naturalists, sailors, and farmers than at the court in Vienna. He travelled simply and dressed without much concern for conventions. He found in the rugged Mallorcan coast the territory where he could build a life to his liking. He returned in 1872 and acquired Miramar, the former estate linked to Ramon Llull. Later, he acquired Son Marroig, Son Moragues, S'Estaca, and other properties, amassing around 1,700 hectares of coast, forests, olive groves, and terraces between Valldemossa and Deià.
He did not buy to urbanise or to enclose the landscape behind a wall. He restored houses, protected trees, and revived crops. It was said that he paid the asking price without haggling, especially when it meant preventing the felling of ancient oaks or olive trees. When someone reproached him for paying too much for Son Marroig, he replied that that amount was not even enough to buy the hole of Sa Foradada.
Around his possessions, he laid out paths, built stone benches, and sought perspectives from which to contemplate the sea. This landscaping work is what today makes Sa Foradada an exceptional natural viewpoint for the eclipse. The hollowed rock, with the setting sun just in its gap, promises one of the most striking images of the phenomenon.
For Mallorcans and tourists wishing to experience the event, the recommendations are clear: plan your journey in advance, respect traffic restrictions, and opt for public transport or access on foot from designated points. The Balearic Government reminds that the priority is to preserve the natural environment and ensure the safety of all attendees.
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