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Research into the history of Mallorca proves that it was popular well before the tourist invasion of the 1960`s!
There is evidence from tools and pottery discovered in
Mallorca that the island was inhabited well before 1000
BC which is when the Talayotic period began. The cone
shaped towers-Talayots- can still be seen at Capocorp
Vell near Llucmajor in the south of Mallorca. Other
impressive ruins can be found around the island, Antigor
in Ses Salines and more at Ses Paisses de Arta. |
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Mallorca had contact with the Greek and Phoenician
traders and were assisted by them in battle until the
Romans overtook the island in 123 BC. The Romans
brought civilization to the island, building roads and towns and introducing Christianity. Two main colonies were
founded, Pollentia (now Alcudia) and Palma. Because of
its strategic location trade was increased within the
Mediterranean and the Romans brought new technologies
enabling production of wheat and wine.
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Mallorca up to the 15th Century
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In 425 AD the Vandal Kingdom, a Germanic tribe,
destroyed the then capital of Mallorca, Pollentia. From 535 the island became part of the Byzantine Empire, although
from the years 698 ad to 902 AD the island had political
and administrative independence. During this period Mallorca was under attack by both the Normans and the Muslims, causing major crisis. In 903 the island became under Muslim rule. By the beginning of the 10th century the Moors were defeated and the island was under control of the Emirate of Cordoba. Despite all of these problems
trade increased between Africa and Islamic Spain and
agricultural conditions improved. |
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After the Emir of Mallorca stole ships from King Jaume I
of Aragon and Catalunya he retaliated and successfully
captured the island in 1229. Mallorca then went through a period of great growth and prosperity, although many of the Moorish buildings were destroyed. Bellver Castle was built and the Almudaina became the Gothic palace we see today. Palma Cathedral was also built. On the death of Jaume I his son Jaume II became the new ruler and the island prospered under this family until Pedro IV of Aragon became jealous and in 1349 claimed Mallorca for himself. This period saw major changes in the culture of Mallorca, especially the language which became Catalan. Agriculture declined but the increase of manufacturing, especially in the Manacor area, made this an important sector of the commercial future.
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Mallorca 16th Century until the 19th Century
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Due to the neglect of the Aragonese court, and the ban
from trade with America, which had recently been
discovered, the economic climate declined and in the 16th century there was unrest within the population resulting in a series of uprisings against the nobility. The 16th and
17th centuries were times of terrible crisis, including the
plague, with thousands of Mallorcans killed.
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The first civil war, the War of Succession, came about due to the lack of an heir when Carlos II died in 1700. Then
began a period of Castillian rule, with the official language becoming Castillian, although during the Napoleonic wars
there were many Catalan refugees took shelter in
Mallorca. During the 19th century shipping trade with the
Indies was established, a railway built, marsh land was
pumped dry for agriculture and communication lines were opened with mainland Spain. This period also saw an
increase in the use of the Catalan language and culture.
Many emigrated to America. |
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Political and economical unrest persisted well into the
20th century with a lot of influence from politician Antoni
Maura and Joan March, a financier. During the Spanish
Civil War (1936-1939) the governing classes were on the
side of General Francisco Franco, although there was little violence in the Balearics. Then began a time of repression and dictatorship until his death in 1975. |
The mid-50's saw an increase in tourism which in turn
brought a rejection of dictatorship and the beginning of
democracy and self-government in Mallorca and the
approval of the Statutes of Autonomy for the Baleares in
1983 saw the independence of the islands once more,
with Palma de Mallorca becoming the capital of the
autonomous community.
In the present day Mallorca is a thriving democratic country with tourism increasing rapidly, and the government is now making plans to preserve what is left of the unspoilt areas in order to preserve some of the heritage and culture of the island. |
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