800 people march on Sa Berena day to demand the reopening of the public path of Sa Roca

ManacorAbout 800 people marched today, Sa Berena day in Manacor, to the oratory of the Sacred Heart of Jesus to demand the definitive reopening of the Sa Roca des Castellet path, an emblematic route that has been closed for decades by the owners of nearby houses, sheltered by municipal disinterest, which has not yet cataloged the path, despite historical evidence.

The parking lot of the History Museum has been the hikers' meeting point. A space that has become too small due to the avalanche of people who have shown up, as a symbol of resistance, but also to reclaim a tradition that had been lost about thirty years ago: going to eat the Easter Monday pastries (Berena in Manacor, Pancaritats in the rest of Mallorca) at Sa Roca, a curious promontory where, according to Manacor legend and Antoni Maria Alcover's Rondalles, a giant left the pebble from his shoe that bothered him while walking.

The festive atmosphere marked a day where family and hiker participation was one of the highlights. Not so much the municipal presence, which has been scarce. Not for nothing, and as indicated by the representatives of the Platform for Public and Open Paths, the Manacor City Council has not yet taken the definitive step to inventory the route. “Last June we registered a historical dossier that clarifies the persistence of the path since even prehistoric times, and its public character and popular use”, explained Sebastià Matamales.

Without jumping, but with modificationsOn the other hand, and as had been planned for a few days, the protest march did not have to jump over any barriers to access Sa Roca first and Cor de Jesús afterwards, where a stop was made to eat the pastries. This had been negotiated by the organization with the property a few days ago. Also with the National Police, who have made their presence known at the barriers that, despite the good intentions this Monday, remain closed the rest of the days of the year awaiting an administrative… or judicial resolution.

“On this side there have been no problems”, indicates Sebastià Gaià ‘Garba’, who admits, however, that just a few days ago the final part of the route had to be changed, due to a lack of understanding with the owner of the path that leads from Sa Roca to Coll des Vent and Son Macià, where the excursion was initially supposed to end. “They said they wouldn't open, which sooner or later will lead us to have to reach an agreement… perhaps through legal channels”. Finally, the finishing point has been the hermitage of Santa Llúcia and, again, the Torre dels Enagistes.

The Platform has wanted to thank all the neighbours who have responded to a call that is expected to have continuity. And it has encouraged the City Council to work decisively to catalogue and register Sa Roca des Castellet within the catalogue of public paths of the municipality, through a commission that remains on standby for several legislatures. “Now it seems that the council's predisposition is good”, concludes Matamalas.