On October 3, 2026, the Department of Environment, Rural Affairs, and Sports of the Consell de Mallorca organized a volunteer day at Raixa, focusing on the Ruta de Pedra en Sec. This event provided 16 participants with a hands-on learning experience in the conservation of cultural heritage.
Participants contributed to the maintenance of the Raixa path in Bunyola by reconstructing a dry stone wall along a section of the trail between Raixa and Can Penasso, guided by the Santa Maria Més que Pedra association.
During his visit to Raixa, Pedro Bestard, the second vice president and Councillor for Environment, emphasized that “this day offers an opportunity to discover the secrets of the dry stone technique, which has been recognized as part of UNESCO’s intangible cultural heritage since 2018.” He noted that in Mallorca, this technique has facilitated the construction of terraces, walls, paths, and various structures related to agricultural, livestock, and forestry activities, with over 19,000 kilometers of terraced walls estimated in the Tramuntana mountain range alone.
This educational and recreational activity is part of the European Dry Stone Heritage Week, organized by the Department of Environment. The initiative is promoted by the European Dry Stone Network (REPS), which hosts various activities in different regions to raise awareness about the importance of dry stone heritage and to promote the creation of a European cultural itinerary centered on this heritage.
The Consell de Mallorca, currently holding the presidency of the association, is organizing several activities in Mallorca as part of this week.
Botanical excursion on the Ruta de Pedra en Sec
Another activity scheduled for the European Dry Stone Heritage Week is a botanical excursion along the Ruta de Pedra en Sec, taking place on Saturday, October 10, near the viewpoint of ses Barques (across the municipalities of Sóller and Fornalutx). Magdalena Vicens Fornés from the Sóller Botanical Garden will provide explanations about the plants that thrive on the dry stone walls and terraces in this section of the Tramuntana mountain range.
20th edition of the introductory course on dry stone wall construction
Additionally, the introductory course on dry stone wall construction concluded on Saturday, marking its 20th edition. This training initiative, organized by the Escola de Margers, saw participation from twelve individuals this year. Pedro Bestard remarked that “the goal of the course is to provide basic knowledge of the technique and promote best practices” among the local population, celebrating “two decades of a program that connects citizens with our valuable dry stone heritage and raises awareness about its conservation.”
