Mallorca History

Mallorca's oldest human remains, dating back to 5000 BC where found on Valldemosa in the Site of Son Matge but, altought of the many Mallorca historians, it is still a little bit unclear where the first settlers came and from where.

The Talaiot civilization followed these first inhabitants and its known for being the first to work metals and megalithic structures, made of big rocks and about 3 or 6 metres high. An example of these constructions is the known as Talaiot de sa Canova, located about 150 metres from the way that goes from Arta to La Colonia de San Pere. It dates to 1300 BC and is one of the most impressive you will find. It is formed by a square and a round construction and some remains of a town.

Because of the location in the Mediterranean it soon became an important commercial port for many of the civilizations in the Mediterranean, first for the Phoenicians and the Greeks and later for the Carthaginian traders.

From 123 BC and until the 5^thCentury, Mallorca was occupied by the Romans, who built roads, cities and introduced the religion. Palma was known as Palmaria and was one the main cities during these yeas, as well as Pollensa (Pollentia on these dates) and Alcudia.

Once the Roman Empire had decayed and after many assaults by the Vandals and the Byzantines, the Arabs finally annexed the islands to its Kingdom. During the Arab occupation Majorca suffered major advances, as they introduced new techniques in to the agriculture, as the windmills, and as well as many of the now typical mallorcan products, such as the oranges or the almonds.

Later on, in 1229, Mallorca was occupied by Jaume I, king of Catalonia and Aragon, mainly to solve the problems they had due to the Arabs attacks on the major naval trade routes. Jaime I disembarked in Santa Ponsa and begin the conquest of the island. Its known that on its way to Palma he stopped for a lunch with his tropes that he really enjoyed, tat an area at what is known as "Bendinat", which in mallorquin means "well lunch". And it was in this time when the mallorcan language born, with the influence of the Catalan.

Although later on the use of the Catalan (which is in fact the language, but do not try to discuss this in Mallorca or you will have large disputes with the locals), was forbidden during many years, first by The King Felipe and later by Franco, it remained alive in the villages and was used to comunicate with family and friends. Now, it is promoted by the Goverment and if you are on village and want to do some quick friends, just try to say a few words in "mallorquin" and see your respect increased.

Now and from 1983 Mallorca (Majorca) enjoys of having its own Autonomy Status and the Catalan and Castellano are both official.