The llaüt: a symbol of Mallorca’s seafaring tradition

If you’ve ever strolled through traditional ports such as Porto Colom, Cala Figuera or the Port of Sóller, you’ve no doubt noticed some boats with simple yet elegant lines and a distinctly Mediterranean character. These are the llaüt, one of Mallorca’s most iconic vessels and a true symbol of the Balearic Islands’ seafaring tradition. Its history is closely linked to fishing, maritime trade and the daily lives of generations of Mallorcans.

Origins of the Llaüt

Although the tradition of sailing and boatbuilding in the Mediterranean dates back thousands of years, the first concrete evidence of the Llaüt dates from the late Middle Ages. At that time it was called a Lahut and served as an auxiliary vessel for larger boats, used for fishing and coastal navigation.

General characteristics

The features that traditionally best define the Llaut are its bay-leaf shape (when viewed from above), a forward or central mast, and its lateen sails (2 or 3). The long, vertical outboard rudder is also a very distinctive feature. They come in various sizes, typically between 4 and 6 metres, and with different construction details:

In his work Die Balearen (1869), Archduke Louis Salvator of Austria told us that “On the north coast of Mallorca, llauts usually have a triple keel, whereas those in the Bay of Palma generally have only a single keel”.

The reason for this is that the Costa Nord is rugged and the sea rougher, so the llauts are often hauled out of the water. The triple keel makes this manoeuvre much easier. In contrast, in the Bay of Palma, it is more common to leave them in the sea, moored.

In the past, llauts were built from wood by specialists known as mestres d’aixa, who crafted them by hand. Today, fibreglass, plastic and standardised moulds have gradually replaced this traditional method of shipbuilding.

Types of Llaüt

As mentioned in Die Balearen, in the 19th century there were several types of Llaut, differing in size and purpose.

The trading Llaüt

This type was used for trade and coastal shipping between the ports of the Balearic Islands, the Spanish mainland and North Africa. It was particularly important between the late 18th and early 20th centuries for trade between the port of Sóller and the south of France. Oranges, lemons, oil, wine and nuts were exported there.

These llauts were large, up to 20 metres long, with space for cargo and even 7 or 8 cabins below deck. The stern was not pointed, as is typical of the smaller vessels, but flat or rounded.

It is said that one of these llauts was capable of sailing from Barcelona to the port of Sóller in around 9 hours, despite having nothing but a lateen sail and no auxiliary engine whatsoever.

And these travelling llauts, large and highly seaworthy, set out on various occasions to cross the Atlantic, as far as Cuba, Puerto Rico, Haiti or even Argentina.

The Travelling Llaüt

This type was used for trade and domestic traffic, between the ports of the Balearic Islands, the Peninsula and North Africa. Very important was its use between the end of the 18th century and the beginning of the 20th century for trade between the port of Sóller and the South of France. Oranges, lemons, oil, wine and nuts were exported there.

These llauts were large, up to 20 metres, with space for cargo and even 7 or 8 cabins below deck. The stern was not pointed, as the smaller ones typically have, but flat or rounded.

It is said that one of these Llaut was capable of sailing between Barcelona and the Port of Soller in about 9 hours, despite having only Latin sails and no auxiliary engines.

And these llauts travellers, big and very sailors, launched in different occasions to cross the Atlantic, to Cuba, Puerto Rico, Haiti or even to Argentina.

The coastal llaüt

This is smaller than the Travelling one, but could still measure up to 10–12 metres. It was used for coastal trade in the Balearic Islands, and occasionally for trips to the mainland.

The fishing llaut

Smaller than the previous types, ranging from 4 to 10 metres in length, it was traditionally used for fishing, and later for its owners’ recreational sailing. Due to this more private and leisure-oriented use, it is the type that has survived best over time, and of which there are still quite a few remaining. Originally they had no engine, but little by little small diesel engines have been fitted, and more recently, even some electric ones.

The Llaut in Modern-Day Mallorca

Nowadays, there is a great fondness for things that symbolise local and traditional culture. That is why we currently have various exhibitions and regattas featuring traditional llauts, the lateen-rigged boats.

Even so, the number of wooden llauts has been declining in recent years, due to the greater difficulty involved in maintaining and repairing them. According to data from 2010, there were 653 traditional llauts remaining in Mallorca at that time.

Apart from these, there are also fibreglass and plastic llauts, which are still being built, sometimes using the templates of old mestres d’aixa to make the moulds. There are also larger versions, including those with cabins, motorised and equipped with all manner of amenities. The latter are the llauts known as ‘de Señor’ due to their comfort.

The symbol of Mallorca’s maritime heritage

For centuries, the llaüt was essential for supplying fresh fish to coastal markets and villages. It represents the close relationship that Mallorca has maintained for centuries with the sea, fishing and traditional crafts. Nowadays, they are used more as recreational boats than for professional fishing, but, in any case, if you love the sea and want to enjoy our coastline, sailing in a llaut is one of the most authentic experiences. Especially in a traditional wooden one.

Llauts were built by true craftsmen, of whom very few remain today: the “Mestres d’aixa”. Click on the link below to find out more about this ancient craft from Mallorca: Mestres d’aixa: Mallorca’s shipwrights

https://www.productesdemallorca.es/mestres-daixa-ships-carpenters/?lang=en