Wednesday, December 13, 2006

Mallorca: Chopin's scandal


On the west coast lies the town of Valldemosa. A must-see museum is located here.


A beautiful church is attached to a former monastery with amazing historical pieces.



The monk's lifestyle hundreds of years ago is depicted.


But the most amazing part is about Frederic Chopin, the world famous pianist composer.


In 1838, Chopin and his lover, George Sand (a woman who wore pants and smoked cigars) came to Mallorca and were shunned by the locals. They took up residence in an old monastery in Valldemossa.






Here are original works of Chopin's, scribbled out and adjusted. He wrote with cold, numb fingers in the winter.






Chopin's lover was a famous writer, too. She chronicled their time here in a book, "Winter in Mallorca."

Now the island is proud of the Chopin-Sand tie.





http://www.valldemossa.com/museoin.htm

We arrived at this town on a rainy day or we would have had more photos of this beautiful town that captivated Chopin and many other artists. Michael Douglas and his wife, Catherine Zeta-Jones owns a home a few km away from Valldemossa in Deia.