La Trapa is a nature reserve located on the southwestern coast of the Tramuntana mountains, between the towns of Sant Elm and Estellencs. The reserve takes its name from the Trappist monks who settled in the valley of "Saint Joseph" around 1810, fleeing the French Revolution. Here they built a monastery, created a water system, and built terraces and walls using the dry-stone method.
However, the monastery did not survive for long. In 1820, La Trapa was dissolved, and the monastery was abandoned and the buildings left to fall into ruin. Today, the area is under the supervision of the environmental organization GOB, which funds the complex exclusively through private and donated funds. The Island Council of Mallorca has taken over the restoration of the buildings.
In La Trapa, you can find elements of traditional architecture, such as houses from the old monastery and the remains of a chapel.
La Trapa is accessible via a very winding gravel road that runs from San Elm over the Coll de ses Animes mountain pass. Hiking routes follow the GR 221 trail, which connects Santa Elm with La Trapa along a narrow mule track beside the cliffs.
