Petra
The municipality of Petra has a surface area of 70.13 km². It is located 44 km from Palma via the motorway that connects the capital with Manacor. It borders the municipalities of Villafranca de Bonany, Sant Joan, Sineu, Ariany, Santa Margalida, Artà, Sant Llorenç de Cardessar and Manacor. It has a population of 2500 inhabitants.
In the 13th century, this municipality passed into the hands of James I the Conqueror, who distributed the land among his knights. In the past, this municipality was very vast and covered the current municipalities of Petra, Vilafranca, Sineu, Sant Joan and Lloret. It was the most populated area in Mallorca.
In the 16th and 17th century, Petra grew into a rich municipality thanks to its vast extension, the high number of inhabitants it had and an important agricultural and cattle farming activity. During this time, two of the most important buildings of the village were built: the parish church and the convent of Sant Bernardí. In the 19th century, epidemics and droughts started to damage the crops and diminish the wealth and the population, in that order.
The village of Petra is worldwide known for its connection with Fray Juníper Serra, who was born in this comarca on the 24th November 1713. When the Spanish conquest in Alta California began, Serra, as a Franciscan friar, founded a mission chain in Alta California and Baja California. He founded ten missions, which over time have become large cities in the United States of America, such as San Francisco, San Diego, San Antonio de Padua, Santa Clara, etc. Its figure represents the State of California in Washington’s Capitol.
From an agricultural point of view, Petra is the main wine municipality, although this comarca also had an important agricultural and cattle farming activity during the 19th and the 20th century. As a proof of that, in Petra there are some well-known fincas, such as Son Mieres, Son Santandreu, Los Cabanells Vells and Ses Cabanasses, as well as some artisanal occupations based on the manufacture and maintenance of agricultural machinery.
Information of Interest
Sanctuary of Bonany (17th-18th century), also known as Hermitage of Bonany. In Spanish, Bonany means “good year”. This sanctuary received this name because in 1609 heavy droughts stroked the area and many people climbed the hill to invoke the rain, which eventually came. That year, the harvest was very good.
Fray Juníper Serra Museum: In Petra, in 6 Carrer Fray Juníper, lies the Fray Juníper Serra Museum, dedicated to his figure. It is located next to the house where he was born, which can also be visited. It is a good example of a traditional and humble house from the 17th and 18th century.
LINK OF PETRA TOWN COUNCIL
http://www.ajpetra.net/