Ses Païsses Talayotic Settlement – Step Into Mallorca’s Prehistoric Past
Just a short stroll from the centre of Artà lies Ses Païsses, one of the best-preserved Talayotic settlements in the Balearic Islands. Dating back over 3,000 years, this remarkable archaeological site transports visitors to the Bronze Age, offering a rare glimpse into the island’s prehistoric communities. Set among pine trees and ancient stones, it’s a peaceful and atmospheric place that history lovers and curious travellers alike will find fascinating.
A Legacy Carved in Stone
Ses Païsses was first settled around 850 BCE and continued to be inhabited until Roman times. The remains include a central talayot (a tower-like structure typical of this era), along with surrounding dwellings, walls, and communal spaces — all built using cyclopean masonry, where large stones are fitted together without mortar.
The oval-shaped outer wall, with its imposing main entrance and rounded corner towers, is especially striking. Walking through it, you’ll feel the scale and organisation of a once-thriving community that lived and worked on this very ground.
A Self-Guided Experience Among the Ruins
Interpretive signs in several languages explain the layout, function, and significance of the different structures. You’ll learn how these ancient people used natural materials for construction, food storage, and ritual practices — all while wandering through open-air ruins shaded by Mediterranean pines.
Because of its size and clear layout, Ses Païsses is one of the easiest Talayotic sites to explore independently, with pathways leading visitors through key areas of the village at their own pace.
Tranquil, Educational & Deeply Atmospheric
What makes Ses Païsses so compelling is not just its historical value, but its setting — the soft crunch of pine needles underfoot, the filtered light through the trees, and the timeless quiet that hangs over the stones. It's a place to pause, imagine, and connect with the very earliest chapters of life in Mallorca.