I have shamelessly copied this from the back of the menu at 'Albatros', our favourite morning coffee bar.
"The Port de Sóller has long attracted an ocean of conquerors, invaders, settlers and now tourists, who have all contributed to its rich and colourful history.
"The first settlers were shepherds and metal prospectors arriving around 4000BC who buried their people in rock carved caves. Next came the Talayotic period around 1000BC and cone-shaped towers can still be seen from this time. Phoenician and Greek traders followed and it's probable that the name Balearic comes from ballein, the Greek for sling throwing. These skilled sling-throwers helped the Carthaginians fight the Greeks and Romans. By 123BC the Romans had control of Mallorca introducing their infrastructures, roads, towns and Christianity. However, during the 10th century the island was annexed to the Emirate of Córdoba and followed 300 years of Muslim rule.
"The port was formed as part of the territory known as Sulyar (Valley of Gold) and with a strategic position between Africa and Islamic Spain, trade prospered as agriculture improved. In 1229 the prosperity tempted King Jaume I of Aragón and Catalunya who, angry with the Emir of Mallorca for stealing his ships, took the island. The northern port established itself as the centre of the great trading routes and a lucrative export trade of oranges, lemons and olive oil followed - evidence can be seen in the manor houses and farms whose façades show an elegance that is unusual in Mallorca. However, trade was continuously threatened by attacks from bandits and bloody battles were fought and won between the Moors and Christians over the following centuries. Each year proud locals celebrate the Mallorcan victory known as 'Es Firo' with a mock battle - a fascinating and energetic festival not to be missed*.
"With the growth of the shipping trade during the Middle Ages and up to the French Revolution, the Port of Sóller prospered with an extensive fleet of merchant ships, fishing boats and shipping lines. In the eighteenth century a commercial port was fitted out with new quays. However the Civil War (1936-1939) changed the focus of the Port. After the Civil War, the shipping trade had virtually disappeared, though the Port soon took on a new challenge with the growth and demand of tourism.
"Now the port enjoys a much more passive role where a proud traditional culture and lively fishing industry quietly live alongside the unique combination of mountains, beach and sea which attract visitors from far and wide."
"The first settlers were shepherds and metal prospectors arriving around 4000BC who buried their people in rock carved caves. Next came the Talayotic period around 1000BC and cone-shaped towers can still be seen from this time. Phoenician and Greek traders followed and it's probable that the name Balearic comes from ballein, the Greek for sling throwing. These skilled sling-throwers helped the Carthaginians fight the Greeks and Romans. By 123BC the Romans had control of Mallorca introducing their infrastructures, roads, towns and Christianity. However, during the 10th century the island was annexed to the Emirate of Córdoba and followed 300 years of Muslim rule.
"The port was formed as part of the territory known as Sulyar (Valley of Gold) and with a strategic position between Africa and Islamic Spain, trade prospered as agriculture improved. In 1229 the prosperity tempted King Jaume I of Aragón and Catalunya who, angry with the Emir of Mallorca for stealing his ships, took the island. The northern port established itself as the centre of the great trading routes and a lucrative export trade of oranges, lemons and olive oil followed - evidence can be seen in the manor houses and farms whose façades show an elegance that is unusual in Mallorca. However, trade was continuously threatened by attacks from bandits and bloody battles were fought and won between the Moors and Christians over the following centuries. Each year proud locals celebrate the Mallorcan victory known as 'Es Firo' with a mock battle - a fascinating and energetic festival not to be missed*.
"With the growth of the shipping trade during the Middle Ages and up to the French Revolution, the Port of Sóller prospered with an extensive fleet of merchant ships, fishing boats and shipping lines. In the eighteenth century a commercial port was fitted out with new quays. However the Civil War (1936-1939) changed the focus of the Port. After the Civil War, the shipping trade had virtually disappeared, though the Port soon took on a new challenge with the growth and demand of tourism.
"Now the port enjoys a much more passive role where a proud traditional culture and lively fishing industry quietly live alongside the unique combination of mountains, beach and sea which attract visitors from far and wide."
*We did miss it - by two days.
We'll pass over the "Christianity" introduced by the Romans in 123BC, the quick skim over the Civil War and the complete lack of any mention of WWII, shall we? But that gives you a flavour of where we are.
We'll pass over the "Christianity" introduced by the Romans in 123BC, the quick skim over the Civil War and the complete lack of any mention of WWII, shall we? But that gives you a flavour of where we are.
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