Algaida, Mallorca, Things to do and see, hotels, market

Following the Catalan conquest of Mallorca (1229-1232), king Jaume I distributed the lands of the island amongst participants of the military campaign. The areas of Algaida, Pina and Randa was given to prince Pere of Portugal and the Knights Templar.

The period after the conquest was focused on establishing Christian communities by constructing chapels and churches all over the island. In Algaida, the chapel was the Castellitx which was built in 1248. Up through the Middle Ages, Castellitx was actually a connection point between the Pla and Llevant regions.

In the 14th century, the village of Algaida started to form in its current position and quickly grew into the biggest concentration of people, while Pina and Randa also started to take form. The chapel of Castellitx remained the religious center until 1410 when a temple was built in Algaida.

The 16th century was characterized by chaos, disasters and conflicts all over the island. In 1520, a rebellion group known as the “Germanies” arose from conflicts between peasants and nobles. The peasants and small landowners felt unfairly treated by the nobles who more or less had full control of every village. The uprising actually began in Valencia, but soon spread to Mallorca, where they positioned themselves in strategic places to take control. Blood was shed all over Mallorca as the conflict escalated. In 1522, the king of Aragón had to interfere and sent a delegation of soldiers to the island to stop the Germanies.

The political conflicts were not the only reasons for turbulence in the 15th century, droughts, bad harvests and starvation caused massive deaths and poverty amongst the population of Algaida.

In the 17th and 18th century, the population grew significantly and agriculture and horticulture started to make for a stable income for most farmers. The development in the population was seen in the expansion of the urban nucleus, as well as in the construction of the parochial church. At the end of the 18th century, the population was about 4,000 inhabitants.

During the 19th and 20th century, the municipality really started to grow and develop as a society. Some of the main events that took place during these centuries includes the constructions of vicarages of Pina and Randa, the foundation of the Franciscan order “Filles de la Misericòrdia” in Pina, the construction of the new church in Pina, the foundation of the Convent of the Augustinian nuns of “l’Empar” in Algaida, the foundation of the order of the Missioners dels Sagrats Cors de Jesús i Maria in the Chapel of Sant Honorat, the establishment of a school, slaughterhouse, library and civil guard quarters.

Today, Algaida is still an agricultural area, however, tourism has indeed been introduced. There are several finca hotels and agroturismos in the area offering authentic stays in rural tranquil settings. Also, promotion of the local places of interest, fairs, markets and festivals are put in weight.