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The Sóller Railway, which opened in 1920, is one of Mallorca’s most iconic historic transport routes, connecting the Sóller Valley with the city of Palma via a unique journey. Its famous original wooden carriages traverse the Sierra de Tramuntana through tunnels carved into the rock and Mediterranean landscapes, making the journey an unforgettable experience that forms part of the island’s historical and cultural heritage. But today we don’t just want to tell you about the Sóller Railway, but also about another unique way to visit Palma from a different perspective. Beyond its historical heritage and architecture, the capital of Mallorca holds a special appeal for visitors from Korea. This is because, above all, through the figure of the Korean composer Ahn Eak-tai, author of the Korean national anthem, the city maintains a curious cultural connection that makes a visit to the capital an even more interesting experience

AHN EAK-TAI AND HIS CONNECTION TO PALMA

The relationship between Palma and Korea is linked to the figure of the composer and conductor Ahn

Eak-tai (Pyongyang, 1906 – Mallorca, 1965), composer of the South Korean national anthem, known as Aegukga. Throughout his musical career, he conducted some of Europe’s most important orchestras, such as the Vienna Philharmonic, the Berlin Philharmonic and the Rome Philharmonic, establishing himself as a leading figure in 20th-century classical music. However, a very significant part of his life was linked to Mallorca and, in particular, to the city of Palma, where he settled with his wife María Dolores Talavera during the 1940s. During the years he lived on the island, Ahn Eak-tai played an active role in the musical life of Palma and was the first conductor of the Balearic Islands Symphony Orchestra, which he led between 1947 and 1959.

Su trabajo contribuyó al desarrollo de la música clásica en Mallorca y dejó una huella importante en la historia cultural de la ciudad. Por eso, hoy en día Palma conserva varios lugares que rinden homenaje a su figura y que puedes descubrir durante tu visita. Entre ellos destaca la escultura dedicada a Ahn Eak-tai situada en el Passeig del Born, una de las avenidas más conocidas del centro histórico. Además, la ciudad cuenta con una calle que lleva su nombre y con la casa donde vivió durante años en Cala Major, que actualmente puede visitarse como casa-museo. Recorrer estos lugares permite descubrir un curioso capítulo de la historia de Palma que conecta la ciudad con Corea y la música.

PALMA AS A DESTINATION OF INTEREST FOR KOREA

In addition to its historical heritage and architecture, Palma has, in recent years, become a destination that is attracting growing interest among visitors from Korea. The city, with its lively historic centre, offers visitors a very special blend of culture, tradition and the Mediterranean way of life. This interest is also reflected in the cultural exchange that has gradually developed between Palma and Korea. In the city, you can find a range of offerings related to Korean cuisine, as well as cultural and musical activities that bring the traditions of this Asian country closer to the island. During your visit to Palma, you can discover not only its monuments and historic streets, but also some places that highlight this cultural connection between the city and Korea.

A good way to start your tour is to stroll along the Paseo del Born, one of the most elegant and well-known areas in the city’s historic centre. This wide, tree-lined promenade is one of Palma’s main meeting points and an ideal place to begin discovering the atmosphere of the capital. Here you will also find the sculpture dedicated to the Korean composer Ahn Eak-tai, which commemorates the cultural relationship between Palma and Korea.

From the Paseo del Born, we can easily continue our walking tour to some of the city’s most iconic sites. Just a few minutes away are the Cathedral of Mallorca, known as La Seu, and the Almudaina Palace, two of the most important monuments in Palma’s historic quarter. From this same area, you can also venture into the streets of the old town, where you’ll discover some of the liveliest corners of the city centre. Among these, Sant Miquel Street stands out as one of Palma’s liveliest shopping streets, lined with shops, small businesses and historic buildings that reflect everyday life in the city centre. Strolling through these streets allows you to

the character of the city at a leisurely pace whilst discovering squares, inner courtyards and other corners steeped in history.

FROM THE ALCÁZAR HOTEL TO PALMA BY TRAIN

If you are staying at the Alcázar Hotel and wish to visit Palma during your stay, one of the most pleasant ways to do so is by taking the Sóller Railway, which connects the Sóller Valley with the island’s capital. The station is just a few minutes from the hotel, and from there you can embark on a journey through the Sierra de Tramuntana, passing through mountains, orange groves and tunnels carved into the rock. During the journey, you can enjoy the characteristic landscape of this part of Mallorca as you make your way into the city.

The journey takes about an hour and ends at Palma station, located very close to the historic centre. From there, we can begin our tour on foot and explore some

of the city’s most iconic areas, such as Mallorca Cathedral, the Almudaina Palace or the streets of the old town, where many of the capital’s

historic buildings are concentrated. To return to the Sóller Valley at the end of the day, as well as the train itself, you can also choose to return by taxi, a comfortable and quick alternative, or take the TIB 204 bus, which connects Palma with Sóller and allows you to return easily after your trip.

If you are staying at the Alcázar Hotel Sóller and would like more information about the connection between Sóller and Palma, or about other places of interest, please do not hesitate to ask

our reception team, who will be delighted to help answer any questions you may have.