Sydney Opera House - Connections With Majorca

One of the great things about Majorca is the interesting people who come from the island - but also those who move to the island.

And there’s not a lot of islanders who know that the architect of one of the world’s most recognisable and iconic buildings was living in their midsts until he sadly recently passed away.

Jorn Utzon, originally from Denmark, was the architect who designed the Sydney Opera House, and he and his wife Lis moved to Majorca in the 1970’s.

Jorn never saw the Sydney Opera House in person complete as he fell out with the Australian Government due to funding pressures, but he knew that it was hailed as one of the modern architectural masterpieces.

Apart from Jorn’s Opera House, a holiday to Sydney can involve many other activities and sighteseeing trips.

Sydney’s beaches offer more than just the typical sun and sand. You can take a ferry from Palm Beach and visit the isolated bays. Another option is to take a ride on a seaplane from Rose Bay to Whale Beach followed by a fantastic lunch. Surfing enthusiasts will also find many ideal spots along the coast. If you’re interested in something a bit more laid back, take a walk along the coast while you soak up the amazing scenery.

In a city so rich with history, it’s not surprising that there are many places worth visiting as part of your Sydney experience. Aboriginal rock carvings can be seen on the Bondi Golf Course, which is close to Bondi Beach. While the Sydney Botanical Gardens should be on your itinerary, be sure to check out the Government House as well. It was designed in 1835 and features fine examples of 19th century furniture. Government House is now open to the public, and various blogs and articles have information on this.

The Sydney Harbour Bridge is another site of historical value. Opened in 1932, it took nine years to complete. The bridge accommodates both vehicular traffic and trains and has a walkway for pedestrians. Great views of the bridge can be had from any of the ferries in Circular Quay. Sydney also has world class art galleries, such as the Art Gallery of New South Wales, the Gaval Aboriginal Art Gallery and the Museum of Contemporary Art.

And when you see the Sydney Opera House, it’s worth noting that the man who designed it could have lived pretty much anywhere in the world - and chose Majorca.