Antonio Parietti was the creator of art road masterpieces
Spain, europe
N/A
N/A
extreme
Year-round
# Antonio Parietti Coll: Mallorca's Road-Building Legend
Antonio Parietti Coll was a Spanish road engineer who became something of a local legend in 20th-century Mallorca. Born in Palma in 1899 and passing away there in 1979, this Italian-Mallorcan hybrid (son of an Italian father and Mallorcan mother) studied civil engineering in Madrid before returning to reshape his island's infrastructure.
Back in the 1920s and 30s, Mallorca was basically untouched paradise—perfect tourism material if only people could actually *reach* the good stuff. That's where Parietti came in. As part of a broader modernization effort, he personally oversaw two legendary road projects through the Serra de Tramuntana mountains: the 1925 route to Formentor (which enabled Adam Diehl to build his iconic hotel) and the jaw-dropping 1933 road to Sa Calobra.
Here's the thing—these weren't practical connections between towns. They were pure tourism plays, designed to open up two absolutely stunning natural spots that have become famous *because* of these roads. Pretty genius, really.
The **Sa Calobra road** is the real showstopper. Prepare yourself for scenery that'll make your jaw drop and driving that's genuinely hair-raising. The famous Nus de sa Corbata section features a wild 270-degree hairpin turn, and there's this insanely narrow passage squeezed between two towering rock faces that'll have your heart in your throat.
The **Formentor route** is equally impressive, with a stunning viewpoint called Mirador de Sa Creueta (El Colomer) where a monument honoring Parietti was erected in 1968.
These days, with our stricter environmental protections, getting permission to build roads like this would be nearly impossible. But without Parietti's vision and determination, Sa Calobra and Formentor wouldn't be the bucket-list destinations they are today. That's legacy.
Where is it?
Antonio Parietti was the creator of art road masterpieces is located in Spain (europe). Coordinates: 42.3447, -4.8660
Road Details
- Country
- Spain
- Continent
- europe
- Difficulty
- extreme
- Coordinates
- 42.3447, -4.8660
Related Roads in europe
moderateWhere is Lac des Bouillouses?
🇫🇷 France
Okay, picture this: Lac des Bouillouses, a stunning mountain lake shimmering at 6,614 feet above sea level, nestled in the French Pyrénées! This isn't just a lake; it's a whole vibe. Created to power the country with hydroelectricity, it's the perfect spot for an early morning adventure. Trust me, you want to get there before the afternoon storms roll in—they're pretty common in summer. Now, about the road... Get ready for a winding 7.95-mile paved climb on the D60! You'll gain some serious altitude—think an average gradient of around 8.5%, with some seriously steep sections hitting 11%! They say it's the highest lake you can reach by car or cable car in the Pyrénées-Orientales. Heads up though: in the winter, this road is a no-go zone due to snow. Even in summer, there can be restrictions, especially during peak hours. The final stretch is always closed to cars, so you'll need to hop on a shuttle bus from "les Bouillouses" or take a cable car from Font-Romeu. It's worth it for those views, though!
easyWhere is the Houtribdijk Causeway?
🌍 Netherlands
Cruising through North Holland? You HAVE to check out the Houtribdijk, a massive causeway built back in the day (1963-1975). Also called the Markerwaarddijk, this thing cuts right through the IJsselmeer and Markermeer, two huge lakes smack-dab in the middle of the Netherlands. Basically, it's a long, straight shot—all 27.6 km (17+ miles) of it—connecting Enkhuizen (near West Friesland) to Lelystad. Picture this: you're cruising on the N307, part of a major water management project, doing maybe 100 km/h with about 8,500 other vehicles, and there's water as far as the eye can see. Yep, you can totally lose sight of land out here! But it's SO worth the drive. The views of both lakes are incredible. Plus, they've made a bunch of cool spots along the dike for chilling out, watching birds, or even hitting the water. And halfway across? Trintelhaven, a sweet rest stop with a restaurant and radio station! Cyclists love it too, with a path running the whole length. Trust me, if you're nearby, you've gotta experience this unique road trip.
moderateA Wild Road to Pierre-sur-Haute in the Massif Central
🇫🇷 France
# Pierre-sur-Haute: A Peak Worth the Journey Perched at 1,631m (5,351ft) in France's Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, Pierre-sur-Haute is a stunning mountain summit that straddles the border between Loire and Puy-de-Dôme departments. Here's the thing though—you won't be driving your own car all the way to the top. This peak is off-limits to private vehicles thanks to the military installations stationed there. The mountain is home to a French military radio station that keeps the country's communications running, plus a civilian relay operated by Télédiffusion de France. Everything up top is sealed behind a serious barrier of wood and metal, with access strictly reserved for military personnel and telecom employees who navigate the summit via dedicated roads or tracked vehicles. If you're curious about the route itself, the main access road stretches 14.3km (8.88 miles) running north-south, connecting the D40 road at Col du Béal to the D106 near Le Perrier. The northern section has been beautifully paved since 1961, while the southern approach remains unpaved—a nice mix of surfaces as you wind through the dramatic terrain of the Massif Central. It's one of those roads that reminds you how France's geography and infrastructure tell fascinating stories, even when you can't experience the whole thing firsthand.
extremeRoad trip guide: Conquering Refugi Prat d'Aguiló
🇪🇸 Spain
Okay, picture this: you're in the Spanish Pyrenees, right near the French border, in Catalonia's Cerdanya region. You're aiming for Refugi de Prat Aguiló "Cèsar August Torras," a mountain hut chilling at a cool 2,000 meters (6,561 feet). The road up is *definitely* an adventure. We're talking unpaved, 4x4 territory only. It's best tackled late spring through early fall because, let's be real, mountain roads + snow = potential drama. You’re in the Parc Natural del Cadí-Moixeró, so expect stunning Pre-Pyrenean scenery, but also keep your eyes peeled for avalanches, heavy snow, landslides, and icy patches – Mother Nature's mood swings are real here. The trek starts at the entrance to Montellà, winding 15km up to the refuge, inaugurated in 1976. It's perched on the northern side of the Serra del Cadí range, right below the Gosolans pass. Think of it as your base camp for some serious mountaineering. And hey, even if you're not scaling peaks, the high mountain views? Totally worth the ride. It's classic Pyrenees beauty all the way.