Dry Stone Walls (Marges)

They are unspectacular and yet one of the most impressive cultural testimonies of Mallorca: the Marges — dry stone walls, stacked without a drop of mortar, that have shaped the landscape of the Tramuntana for centuries.

A UNESCO Heritage

The dry stone walls of the Serra de Tramuntana have been part of the UNESCO World Heritage since 2011. It is estimated that there are over 15,000 kilometers of these walls on Mallorca — a distance that would stretch from Palma to Beijing. They were built over centuries by Margers (dry stone wall builders), a group of craftsmen whose knowledge was passed down orally from generation to generation.

Function and Technique

The Marges fulfill several vital functions: They create terraces (Marjades) on the steep slopes of the Tramuntana, enabling the cultivation of olives, almonds, and wine. They prevent erosion, channel rainwater in a controlled manner, provide wind protection, and mark property boundaries. The technique is simple and ingenious: Stones are interlocked without binding agents so that they support each other — the correct selection and placement of each stone determine the durability.

Good dry stone walls last centuries — some of the still-standing walls date back to the Moorish period (10th–13th century). Modern Margers are now trained in special courses to preserve the knowledge. The Escola de Margers in Soller trains new dry stone builders — a profession experiencing a renaissance thanks to UNESCO status and hiking tourism.

Hiking Along the Marges

The most beautiful hikes in Mallorca lead along and through dry stone wall landscapes: the Ruta de Pedra en Sec (GR 221), a long-distance hiking trail that runs through the entire Tramuntana, is the best example. Stages like Deia–Soller, Esporles–Banyalbufar, or Lluc–Pollenca lead through centuries-old terrace landscapes that poetically showcase the interplay of man and nature.