Sant Llorenç des Cardassar, Things to do, hotels, market

There were in fact also several other Talayotic establishments in the current area of Sant Llorenç des Cardassar, i.e. on the rocky headland of Punta de n’Amer, the one of na Pol and one in Cala Marlanda. The village of s’Illot could very well have been the central meeting point for the many smaller villages scattered in the area, and the place to go for trading and veneration.

Actually, there has been discovered more than 40 different archaeological sites within the current municipal border, making Sant Llorenç des Cardassar a true El Dorado for amateur archaeologists and anyone interested in this subject.

Roman occupation (123 BC  – 345)

From around 123 BC, Mallorca became part of the western Roman empire, an important strategic goal of the Romans who could benefit and prosper from controlling the Mediterranean. Following their landing on the island, they begun a long a tiring quest to locate and fight the indigenous peoples who was hiding in the many Talayotic villages, such as the walled enclosure of s’Illot, and caves on the island. Eventually, the Roman army succeeded, as the native savages and warriors were no match for an organized army of trained soldiers. However, it is important to mention, that the Romans had done several attempts earlier to conquer Mallorca but failed as the indigenous warriors (slingers) had managed to sink their ships from the coastline. This is an important fact, as this tells us about ancient warfare, but also about the prehistoric life in the coastal area such as the Talayotic community of s’Illot.

Byzantine times (534 – 700+?)

The Byzantine period refers to the period from the year 534 and a couple of centuries forward. In the centuries following the fall of the western Roman empire, around the middle of the 4th century, the eastern Roman empire started to expand and rebuild.

It was Justinian I whom ordered the recapture of the Balearic Islands, and when his generals triumphed in doing so, he incorporated the islands into the Mauritània Tingitana, current day Morocco.

One of the most interesting aspects of the Byzantine period in Mallorca, was the introduction of Christianity. Actually, one of the best evidences of the early Christian communities, is the excavation of the paleo-Christian basilica of Son Pereto located somewhat on the border of Sant Llorenç and Manacor. At the excavation site, which by the way is open to tourists, you can see the baptistery, the altar and former graves.

The Islamic Mallorca (903 – 1229)

Around 903, Mallorca and the other Balearic Islands was incorporated into the Emirate of Cordoba and the Muslim world. The Balearic archipelago came under the Umayyad dynasty, and prospered greatly from piracy in the Mediterranean. It was mainly from the capital of Mallorca, Madina Mayurqua, that piracy campaigns were launched. People living outside the capital were mainly farmers living in tribal communities scattered in the countryside. Beside from Madina Mayurqua, there was only a few small villages, or rather assemblages of farmhouses, found on the island. Most habitation areas consisted of farmsteads and cottages spread widely.The Moors divided the island in some thirteen districts, the so-called “ajza” (singular: juz), whereof the area of Sant Llorenç belonged under the Juz d’ Manacur, which also comprised the areas of current day Manacor, Felanitx, Santanyí, Ses Salines, Campos and Porreres.

The Catalan-Aragonese conquest

In the beginning of September 1229,the Christian troops of Catalonia and Aragón landed at the shores of Santa Ponsa in the south-western part of Mallorca with 150 ships. The campaign of conquering Mallorca and the Balearic Islands was a another strategic goal in the Reconquista, a series of wars between Christians and Muslims in the Mediterranean. On December 31, King Jaume I of Aragón called himself victorious after defeating the Moorish walí in the Almudaina in Palma, at that time Madina Mayurqua. The city was renamed to “Ciutat de Mallorca”, simply put, City of Mallorca.

During the spring of 1231, Kings Jaume’s troops marched through the eastern areas of Mallorca fighting down any Muslim resistance on their path. The resistance from the Moorish farmers was little or none at all, as they were simple peaceful farmers. There is no documentation of any major battles in the area of Sant Llorenç.

In the time following the conquest of Mallorca, the king divided the lands of the island among his supporters, participants and the church. This particular area was granted the count, Nunó Sanç de Rosselló, whom led some of the most important parts of the military campaign due to his knowledge of the area and allies in Muslim tycoons.

The new Christian settlers quickly begin the process of converting Muslims, taking them as slaves and change the place names of the farms and areas. In 1236, the construction of a church had already begun, probably by a decreed of Ferrer de Pallarès, the provost of Tarragona. The church was built in a farmstead known as “Bellver”, probably current day property of Son Vives,  Already in 1248, the church of Santa Maria de Bellver was documented in a papal by Pope Innocence IV. In the church was an image or figure of Sant Llorenç (Saint Lawrence) which was venerated by the small congregation, and which gave rise to the first name of the small village of houses which was built around the church; Sant Llorenç de Bellver.

The modern age

As of 1519, the village became known as Sant Llorenç des Cardassar and comprised an urban nucleus of about 40 houses surrounding the church. The word “Cardassar”, means “thistles” in English.

During the 16th and 17th century, Mallorca faced a brutal threat from the seaside. The Ottoman empire had allied itself with Berber privateers from North Africa and was constantly lurking in the sea interrupting maritime commerce, as well as attacking the coastal areas of the Balearic Islands. Pirate raids cost many lives and money during the 16th century, until the Mallorcans found a solution.

A big part of the solution, was the erection of watchtowers along the coastlines of the island whose purpose was to alarm the population whenever a hostile vessel was getting close. On the headland of Punta de n’Amer, a tower was erected to communicate with the neighboring towers of Porto Cristo (Torre dels Serrals de Falcons) and Cap Vermell. The towers communicated using smoke signals and flags to pass the alarm until it reached the villages and the men could prepare for battle. However, after a brutal raid in 1612, the Grand and General Council of Mallorca grated the people of Manacor permission to expand and enhance the fortification of Punta de n’Amer.

The new fortress was unique because of its square plant, moat dug in the rocks and the large dents in the walls which prevented attackers from climbing. Due to the massive activity during these years and the central location of the fortress, the fortification had 3 turrets operated by 3-4 armed soldiers.

The establishment of the town

In the 18th century, the small agricultural community started to gain importance and saw an increase in population. The four original streets conducting the village were planted; Carrer Major, Carrer Pou, Carrer Santa Maria de Bellver and Carrer Carrerillo. Another important element of the infrastructure added at this time, was the Pou Vell (old well), the main water supply for the inhabitants. In 1776 and again in 1806, Sant Llorenç made an attempt to segregate from Manacor but failed.

Municipal independence and development of Son Carrió

Somewhat in the middle of the 19th century, a trend of parceling the last really large possessions of the island came to Sant Llorenç as well. In 1860, with the continuing demographic development in the area, the lands of the Son Carrió possession was too parceled and sold to new landowners from the neighboring areas. The first village that erected from the possession was actually known as “Sant Miquel”, which also came to be the name of the church constructed between 1868 and 1873. The plot of the church was donated by Joan Lliteres Llull, which was right next to his shop. With the new church and the arrival of the Franciscan nuns in 1899, the population growth accelerated even further. Actually, the congregation grew so fast that already in 1907, a new parish church was inaugurated, designed by Antoni Alcover and Joan Guasp and later modified by Antoni Gaudi and Joan Rubio i Bellver. The first mayor of Son Carrió was Miquel Galmés Llull.

In the years between 1885 and 1893, most of the remaining possessions in the area were divided in smaller plots of land and sold, which caused an even greater increase in the population.

As with all other villages and municipalities, the Constitution of Cadíz from 1812 allowed municipalities of 1,000 or more inhabitants to become independent. This was the first time that Sant Llorenç des Cardassar gained independence from Manacor. However, as the story is, the return to the former constellation was a fact already in 1814.

Finally, on July 3rd, 1892, Sant Llorenç achieved status as an independent municipality administratively free of Manacor. The first city council was instated with Bartomeu Umbert Cabrer elected mayor.

The parochial church was reconstructed or modified by architect, Guillem Forteza, in 1913.

The economical change of tourism

From the 18th century, the main economical activities consisted of cultivation of dry land and raising livestock. The cereal industry is very well exhibited in the many old mills found on the outskirts and inside the urban nucleus of the town. The first mills occurred outside the town center, but due to the high demand six mills was confined within the urban perimeter in the middle of the 20th century. Beside from cereals, the area also has a long tradition of raising cattle, sheep, pigs, goats and poultry, as well as activities in the embroidery and a small carpentry industries.

In 1948, a permission to parcel the coastal areas of s’Illot, or Cala Moreia, was granted, which gave rise to brand new residential areas. In 1910, the population counted 2,883 inhabitants, and in 1950, 3,830 inhabitants.

In the late 1950’s, tourism became an economical activity in the area. In 1964, the first hotels appeared on the beach of s’Illot next to the torrent of Ca n’Amer. In the same period the first hotels in Cala Millor was inaugurated; Eureka and Sabina.

In the 1980’s the village of Sa Coma erected between s’Illot and the headland of Punta de n’Amer.

Today, tourism has become the main source of income in Sant Llorenç due to the development of Cala Millor, Sa Coma and s’Illot.