Tag: history of Mallorca

Llaut la Balear
anecdotes Gastronomy History

Sailing around Mallorca

What was it like to sail around Mallorca in 1899? That summer, nine friends from Santanyí set off on an extraordinary adventure aboard a traditional Mallorcan llaüt, sailing around the island, exploring coves and coastal villages, and eating and sleeping on board. More than a century later, the discovery of the expedition’s original diary and documents made it possible to reconstruct their remarkable journey and glimpse what Mallorca was like at the end of the 19th century. Discover the fascinating story of sailing around Mallorca in 1899, a unique adventure combining traditional sailing, friendship, food and history.

Nazis in Mallorca
History

Nazis in Mallorca

What was the connection between Mallorca and Nazi Germany? Long before the island became a favourite destination for German tourists, Mallorca had already developed close links with Germany during the 1930s. The Spanish Civil War brought the Condor Legion to Pollença, where German seaplanes operated from the island, while after 1945 Mallorca became associated with several former Nazi figures, including the notorious Otto Skorzeny. Discover the little-known history of the Nazis in Mallorca, from the rise of the Nazi movement and the Condor Legion to the former Nazi fugitives who found links to the island.

Cristóbal Colón era mallorquín
anecdotes

Christopher Columbus was Mallorcan.

Could Christopher Columbus have been Mallorcan rather than Genoese? More than 500 years after his voyage to America, the explorer’s true origins remain one of history’s most intriguing mysteries. One theory suggests that Columbus was born in Mallorca, possibly near Felanitx, and that he deliberately concealed his origins for political reasons. Discover the historical clues linking Christopher Columbus to Mallorca, from his name and family connections to Mallorcan navigation, place names in the Americas and the latest scientific research into his ancestry.

Conquista romana de Mallorca
History

Roman conquest of Mallorca

Discover the Roman conquest of Majorca in 123 BC and how Rome transformed the island forever. Explore the resistance of the Talayotic people, the role of Quintus Caecilius Metellus and the legendary Balearic slingers, and find out how the arrival of the Roman Empire led to the foundation of Palma and Pollentia and marked the beginning of Roman Mallorca.

The Mallorcan possessió: the heart of rural Mallorca
Heritage Uncategorized

The Mallorcan possessió: the heart of rural Mallorca

Discover the Mallorcan possessió, the historic rural estates that once formed the heart of life, agriculture and society in Mallorca. Learn how these vast country estates evolved from former farmsteads into self-sufficient centres of agricultural and livestock production, and explore their distinctive architecture, from grand manor houses and courtyards to traditional olive mills and wine cellars. Discover the history of Mallorca’s possessions and how many of these remarkable estates have survived as museums, rural hotels and agrotourism retreats.

From Mallorca to California: the story of Junípero Serra
Iconic characters

From Mallorca to California: the story of Junípero Serra

Discover the extraordinary story of Junípero Serra, the Mallorcan friar who travelled from Mallorca to California and played a key role in the history of the American West. Born in Petra in 1713, Serra left his island for America and eventually became the leader of the Franciscan missions in Alta California. Follow his remarkable journey from Mallorca to California, discover how missions such as San Diego and San Francisco were established, and explore the complex and controversial legacy of one of Mallorca’s most influential historical figures.

The French on Cabrera: the prison island for Napoleon’s soldiers
History

The French on Cabrera: the prison island for Napoleon’s soldiers

Between 1809 and 1814, thousands of French prisoners of war were held on Cabrera Island, off the coast of Mallorca, following the defeat of Napoleon’s army at the Battle of Bailén. Hunger, disease and extreme deprivation turned this remote Balearic island into one of the most harrowing prisoner camps of the Napoleonic Wars. Discover the tragic story of the French prisoners on Cabrera and one of the darkest chapters in Mallorca’s history.

The origin of sobrasada
Gastronomy

The origin of sobrasada

What is the story behind Mallorca’s famous sobrasada? This distinctive Mallorcan cured sausage has a fascinating history rooted in the island’s traditional methods of preserving pork. Discover how sobrasada evolved in Mallorca, when paprika became one of its defining ingredients and how this traditional sausage went from being a way of preserving meat to becoming an iconic part of Mallorcan cuisine. Explore the origins and history of Sobrasada de Mallorca and discover why it remains one of the island’s most celebrated local products.

Pirate attacks in Mallorca and the deffence towers
History

Pirate attacks in Mallorca and the defence towers

Did you know that Mallorca was once a frequent target of pirate attacks? For centuries, corsairs and pirates from North Africa and the Mediterranean raided the island’s coastal towns, threatening communities from Sóller and Pollença to Santanyí and Banyalbufar. To protect Mallorca, a network of defence towers and watchtowers was built along the coastline, allowing warning signals to be passed from tower to tower all the way to Palma. Discover the fascinating history of pirate attacks in Mallorca and explore the historic watchtowers that still stand today as reminders of the island’s turbulent past.