Illa de sa Cabrera

Cabrera is the name of one of the most well-preserved and unspoiled natural areas in Spain. Cabrera is the largest of a group of islands located some 10 kilometres south of the Mallorcan coastline. The other islands are Estells de Fora, L’Imperial, Illa de ses Bledes, Na Redona, Conillera, L’Esponja, Na Plana, Illot Pla, Na Pobra and Na Foradada.

It takes about 4 hours to sail here, and, it requires a special permission. However, luckily there are commercial tour operators arranging excursions to Cabrera from the holiday resort and harbour of Colonia de Sant Jordi, that will take you here. It is also possible to stay overnight in the small hostel.

The rich biodiversity of the island group has great importance and value, which is why they were declared protected area in 1991.

You can look forward to indulge in emblematic Mediterranean vegetation and wildlife, unique to the Balearic islands. Meet for example the rare Eleanor Falcon, turtles and other aniumals as you make your way through the unspoiled terrain.

Cabrera has a long and interesting history behind it, the fortress standing on the highest point is evidence of some of this history. The documentation of the fortress goes back to the year 1410, when the brothers, Pere and Guillem Saragosa, should have built it and offered protection services to the king, guarding the coastline of Mallorca.

The fortress has underwent numerous renovations throughout the years.  In just the 15th and 16th century, more than 10 renovations was reported.

In 1425, the son of Pere Saragosa, Bernat Saragosa, takes over the management of the fortress and makes a new agreement with the king to also use the fortress as a prison. This new function required the fortress to be expanded for the first time.

In 1510, a destructive storm caused serious damages to the fortress which allowed prisoners to escape.

From around 1550, the Ottoman empire began military campaigns to conquer Mallorca. These campaigns were led by legendary captain Barabossa, also known as Red Beard. He paid North-African pirates to help him attack Mallorca from the south. They managed to take over Cabrera for a while, from where they were able to plan out and mobilize attacks on Mallorca.

In the beginning of the 18th century, the fortress was in use during the War of the Spanish Succession.

Again in the beginning of the 19th century, the island and fortress was used during the Napoleonic Wars.

The last time the fortress of Cabrera was used, was during the Spanish Civil War, when it served as a lookout. From that time, Cabrera served as a military area before being declared protected natural area in 1991.