On July 27, the Festive Week of Valldemossa begins in honor of Santa Catalina of Tomás, the only saint from the island originally from the idyllic village of Tramuntana. In tribute to Catalina, piano concerts are held at the Charterhouse, and an equestrian procession travels through the festively decorated streets.
The pious servant was born on May 1, 1531, on “Carrer de la Rectoría” street and lived until 1574. While working in the fields, she built a stone altar, had visions, and performed miracles.
The house where she was born was transformed into a chapel, and her bronze sculpture stands in front. The parish of Sant Bartomeu de Valldemossa, which was canonized in 1930, and the fountain of Catalina, right behind, are dedicated to her. Catalina rests today in a glass sarcophagus in the church of the Monastery of Santa María Magdalena, where she lived as a nun until her death (Placa Santa Magdalena, Palma).
She is also known as “La Beata” This translates as “The Blessed” probably because she was canonized more than three hundred years later. Thus, the people have expressed her blessedness in the name. The grand procession in her honor is held every year on July 28th. After that, the festive week continues with many other events.
