The Mallorcan possessió: the heart of rural Mallorca

For centuries, much of Mallorca’s economic, social and agricultural life revolved around the possessions. These large rural estates were not merely farms, but veritable centres of production where landowners, workers, livestock, crops and traditional trades coexisted. They are truly a fundamental part of Mallorca’s history.

What is a finca or possessió?

Given that Mallorca is an island, practically everything consumed here in centuries past had to be produced here. To explain what a possessió is, we might say it is a manor house surrounded by productive land for agricultural and livestock farming. But that would be a gross oversimplification; in reality, they were much more than that – they were genuine production units, rural centres that formed the backbone of the island’s economic organisation. The owners of the estate lived in the houses, but so did the foremen and workers, though naturally not in the same quarters. There, people lived, worked and disputes, relationships and romances arose that led to marriage. In a way, it was a small microcosm, with its own rules and dynamics.

When did they first appear?

Until King James I conquered the island in 1229, Mallorca was under Arab rule. The organisation of the Mallorcan territory and the use of the countryside were based mainly on the alquerías. But all this changed with the Christian rule of the Crown of Aragon, affecting not only the types of crops grown, but also the farms themselves and their buildings.

From that point onwards, in the 13th century, estates began to emerge as we know them today, although it was not until the 16th century that they came to be called ‘possessió’. In fact, many of them were based on the old alquerías, and some have even retained their original, clearly Arabic, names to this day, such as those of Alfabia or Biniatzar.

What are possessions like?

Possessions served both as accommodation and homes for the lords and their workers, and as facilities for agricultural activities, with outbuildings for processing and storing everything produced on the land. In addition to storehouses, pantries and woodsheds, some feature striking tafonas (oil mills) or cellers (wine cellars). It should not be forgotten that the grandeur of a possessió also reinforced the image and power of its lord in the eyes of the people.

Hall of the Possessió Alfabia

Although they are stately and sometimes imposing buildings, they have a certain austere appearance on the outside and do not usually look ornate. As they were built during different periods, the architectural styles can also vary greatly, ranging from Gothic, Renaissance or Baroque to Neoclassical.

It is very typical for them to have a large inner courtyard (clastra), and the most elegant ones also feature beautiful gardens. Some have their own chapel or church, and if they were situated in strategic locations, they even had defence towers or fortifications.

The distinctive names of the possessions

Here in Mallorca, it is quite common to hear names such as Son Mas, Son Ramón or Son Gibert, and generally the “Son” indicates that it is a possessió. Usually, this very Mallorcan “Son” accompanies first names or surnames, but it can also accompany “malnoms” (nicknames), which are sometimes very amusing, such as Son Barbut, Son Panxeta or Son Marrano.

On other occasions, the names of the possessions are simply associated with a place or a physical feature, such as Sa Torre or Es Fangar.

But personally, the ones I find most evocative are those that have stood the test of time and are authentic living history, retaining those distinctly Arabic names such as Albocàsser, Binificat or Binifarda …

What many Mallorcans have surely never stopped to think about is that what are now hospitals (Son Espases, Son Dureta), industrial estates (Son Castelló, Son Oms) or airports (Son Bonet, Son San Juan) owe their names to the possessions that once stood on those very same plots of land.

Where were they located, and how many possessions were there?

Possessions are scattered throughout Mallorca, but it seems that several factors were taken into account when choosing the sites for these stately homes: it was important to have a water source nearby, but one always had to avoid marshy ground or areas prone to flooding. The ideal location was a rocky outcrop, a scenic spot from which one could clearly survey one’s own lands.

Saying exactly how many there were would depend very much on the period in question. But surely the best reference is the map of Mallorca drawn up by Cardinal Despuig in 1785. In this work of art, alongside many other topographical details, more than 1,250 estates are marked.

What was grown and reared on the possessions?

The possessions had a distinctly agricultural focus, but the main activity depended largely on the area in which the estate was located.

Crops

For example, in the mountainous areas, olive groves and olive oil production were most common, whether for food, for making soap or for use in lamps. In other areas, particularly in the Plà de Mallorca, the main crops were cereals (wheat, barley, oats) and pulses. And we must not forget the vineyards, which were the primary crop in certain parts of the island such as Felanitx, Manacor or Binissalem.

Apart from this typical Mediterranean trio (wheat, vines, olive trees), the estates also had other trees, such as almond, fig, carob and other fruit trees. Among these, citrus fruits (oranges or lemons) were usually the most common, although sometimes there were also plums or peaches.

There was also a vegetable garden, but this was usually intended more for the estate’s own consumption than as a significant economic activity.

Livestock

By far the most important were sheep, and to a lesser extent goats. Pigs were also essential, and in fact one of the most typical roles on the farms was that of the ‘porquer’, the person in charge of the pigs. Cows and oxen were kept for their meat, milk and as animals with great pulling power. Horses, donkeys and mules were also present, all used to pull carts or turn a waterwheel, or for similar tasks.

Chickens, geese, ducks, turkeys and pigeons rounded out this sort of miniature Noah’s Ark that the possessions were. All of them were always guarded by a good ca de bestiar, the popular Mallorcan guard dog.

The possessions today

Some have disappeared due to property speculation and the island’s rapid growth. Others have fallen into disrepair and are deteriorating due to a lack of investment in renovation and maintenance.

But many others have fared better and are preserved for the private use of their owners, whether Spanish or foreign. There are also some that have been converted into ethnographic museum houses and are open to visitors, such as Els Calderers in the village of Sant Joan.

But the ones we can truly enjoy are all those converted into rural hotels or agritourism establishments, either retaining their traditional charm or refurbished with exquisite taste and all modern comforts.

If you’re coming to Mallorca to relax a little, one of our top recommendations is to visit one of these Mallorcan possessions… or better still, to stay for a few days in the one you like best. You’ll discover our island in a very different way.

Which are the most famous possessions?

There are countless examples, but perhaps we could highlight Raixa, Son Marroig or La Granja (Esporlas); all of them are stunning and well worth a visit.

Final thoughts

The possessions were much more than just large agricultural estates. For centuries, they formed an important economic and social foundation of Mallorca. Many of the island’s products, trades and customs have their origins in these rural estates and shaped the lives of many generations of Mallorcans.

Photos: Our thanks to Fernando Sancho, with his blog www.perdidoenmallorca.com

If you’ve read this far in the article, you’ll surely be interested in finding out more about olive oil in Mallorca: Almonds in Mallorca: landscape and gastronomy

https://www.productesdemallorca.es/almond-mallorca/?lang=en

And although agricultural production in Mallorca is organised differently these days, you can still discover the island’s traditional, high-quality products by visiting our online shop: Discover the best gourmet products from Mallorca