History of Mallorca in Timeline

Mallorca (Majorca) is the largest of the Balearic Islands, belonging to Spain. As the seventh-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, it's a significant geographical and tourist destination.

1920: Publication of La estrella

In 1920, Jorge Luis Borges published his poem La estrella in the regional magazine Baleares.

1921: Publication of Catedral

In 1921, Jorge Luis Borges published his poem Catedral in the regional magazine Baleares. This poem expresses his admiration for the Cathedral of Palma.

1929: Joan Miró married Pilar Juncosa

In 1929, Joan Miró married Pilar Juncosa in Palma.

August 1936: Amphibious Landing

On 16 August 1936, the Spanish Civil War led to an amphibious landing on Mallorca by Republicans to reclaim the island from Nationalists, marking the start of the Battle of Majorca. Despite initial gains, they were eventually forced to retreat by September.

1946: Robert Graves Moved to Mallorca

In 1946, the English writer and poet Robert Graves moved to Mallorca with his family.

1954: Joan Miró settled in Mallorca

In 1954, Joan Miró settled permanently in Mallorca.

1954: Camilo José Cela visits Mallorca

In 1954, Nobel Prize winner Camilo José Cela visited Pollença, Mallorca, and then moved to Palma, where he settled permanently.

1956: Cela founded Papeles de Son Armadans magazine

In 1956, Camilo José Cela founded the magazine Papeles de Son Armadans.

1978: Creation of the Insular Council of Mallorca

In 1978, the Insular Council of Mallorca was created.

1983: Indirect Election of Councilors

From 1983 to 2007, councilors were indirectly elected from the results of the election to Parliament of the Balearic Islands for the constituency of Mallorca.

1983: Palma becomes capital of Balearic Islands

In 1983, Palma, the capital of Mallorca, became the capital of the autonomous region of the Balearic Islands.

1983: Autonomous Region of Spain

In 1983, the Balearic Islands, including Mallorca, became an autonomous region of Spain.

1985: Death of Robert Graves

In 1985, Robert Graves died and was buried in the small churchyard on a hill at Deià.

2005: Restaurants in Mallorca

In 2005, there were over 2,400 restaurants on the island of Mallorca according to the Mallorcan Tourist Board, ranging from small bars to full restaurants.

2006: "Caso Andratx" Scandal

In 2006, a scandal erupted in Port Andratx, named "caso Andratx" by the newspaper El País, related to illegal building permits.

2007: Separate Direct Elections

Since 2007, separate direct elections are held to elect the Council of Mallorca.

2009: Mayor Incarceration

In 2009, the former mayor of Port Andratx was incarcerated after being prosecuted for accepting bribes to permit illegal house building.

2010: Visitor numbers

In 2010, Mallorca welcomed over 6 million visitors.

2011: UNESCO World Heritage Site

In 2011, the Cultural Landscape of the Serra de Tramuntana was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

2011: Evolution Mallorca International Film Festival

Since 2011, the Evolution Mallorca International Film Festival has taken place annually every November at the Teatro Principal in Palma de Mallorca.

2012: Increased Airport Usage

Between 2012 and 2017, Palma de Mallorca Airport saw a year-on-year increase in passenger numbers.

2012: People's Party Announces Catalan Policy Changes

In 2012, the People's Party announced its intention to end preferential treatment for Catalan in the island's schools.

2013: Tourist Numbers

In 2013, nearly 9.5 million tourists visited Mallorca.

May 2015: Policy change

In May 2015, following an election, the policy to end preferential treatment for catalan was dropped.

2017: Ten Million Tourists

In 2017, Mallorca welcomed ten million tourists.

2017: 28 Million Passengers at Palma de Mallorca Airport

In 2017, Palma de Mallorca Airport was used by 28 million passengers, marking it as one of the busiest airports in Spain.

September 2019: Discovery of Bronze Age Sword

In September 2019, archaeologists discovered a 3,200-year-old well-preserved Bronze Age sword on Mallorca Island in Puigpunyent, at the Talaiot megaliths site, indicating it was made during the Talaiotic culture's decline.