Maria de la Salut, Mallorca, Things to do and see, hotels, market

From the times when Mallorca was part of the Roman empire (123 BC – 435 AD), remains such as amphorae and imperial ceramics has been found by the Torre de na Gil as evidence. But also imperial coins supports the theory that an entire Roman village had been here.

During the Islamic dominance of Mallorca, Maria de la Salut belonged under the district of Muruh, which also included Santa Margalida, Muro and Llubí.  Not much information has been found in regards to the Arabic presence in this area, although all archaeologists and ethnologists agree that the Arabs were indeed here. Water tunnels (qanats), wells and ceramics are clear evidence of Arabic presence, moreover, many of these has been found in the same places as founds from the Roman era which suggests a reuse of constructions. Water engineering such as those of sa Gruta de Roqueta, s´hort dén Vico, la font des Pujol, are all constructions from this period.

The Arabs lived farms in tribe-like communities, or in small clans. They cultivated almonds, olives, rice, grapes and cereals, all edibles that still this day are known as basic ingredients in an Arabic diet.

Following the conquest of Mallorca (1229 – 1232), King Jaume I of Aragón divided and distributed the lands and districts amongst participants and supporters of the campaign. All areas were declared in the Libre de Repatiment (Book of Distribution). The area of Maria de la Salut was given to Ponç Hug, count of Empúries (former distric on the sea side of Catalonia)

In the late 13th century, two important estates were built in the area; Maria and Roqueta. The estate of Maria, embryo of the town, was the home of the count whom collected taxes from new settlers that came from the mainland. New settlers were given very good conditions including land and slaves for fair prices. Until 1259 the estate of Maria was owned by Bernat de Vilanova, who sold it to Guillem Robert, whose family had it until the beginning of the 15th century.

Within the lands of Maria, namely in the local area of Son Puig, a small nucleus of houses started to show up. In 1410 the lands were in the hands of Joan de ses Eres, a pharmaceutical master.

In 1430, the lands of Maria fell in the hands if Ramon Safortesa, who added it to his lands of Santa Margalida. Safortesa quickly gained jurisdiction of the lands allowing him to collect rents and taxes as he pleased.

During the events of the Revolta Forana (1450 – 1453), the small community of Maria took part in the fights against Safortesa, in collaboration with the people of Santa Margalida. However, the Safortesa family continued their massive tax load and dominance of the area of Maria, which at this time was mainly located in the vicinity of the Plaça de Dalt.

Between 1520 and 1523, the conflict once again arose, this time the movement of the Germanies. Guilds of artisans were dissatisfied with living conditions, taxes and rents from the counts and horsemen who owned most of all lands in Mallorca. In those years, blood was shed all over the Mallorcan countryside, as nearly 3,000 men took part in this movement. It ended with interference from the king of Aragón, who sent the royal troops to Mallorca to support the counts and horsemen.

Until the end of the 17th century, the Safortesa family ruled most of Santa Margalida and the areas of Maria. Pedro Safortesa was the last of the successors, known as “the evil count” due to his massive tax loads and mercilessness towards people that didn’t pay in time and enough.

Two names that occurs in history books of Maria de la Salut from the 17th century, are Joan Font Roig and Antoni Quetgles, two men who took part in a riot against count Mal in Santa Margalida. Joan Font Roig was a member of the jury in Santa Margalida and Antoni Quetgles was a simple bandit, both were from Maria. Antoni Quetgles assaulted the mayor of Santa Margalida, employed by count Mal, and Joan Font Roig covered for him while trying to stir up the inhabitants to do resistance. However, the ission failed and the two men were murdered by henchmen of the count.

In 1696, the urban nucleus started to expand, and to the east of Carrer Major the areas of Son Estelat, carrer del Pou, Son Mas, ses Corbades and carrer de s’Arraval started to develop. At this time, there were about 100 houses in the lands of Maria comprising 650 inhabitants.

In 1698, the governor granted permission for the people of Santa Margalida to constitute a council that could deal with litigation in regards to the lands that belonged to the lordof Roqueta. In the beginning of the 18th century, this council needed representatives from Maria, as they were considered impartial.

In 1710, after a royal hearing, the village of Maria was consolidated, thanks to the works of the elected representative in the Santa Margalida town council. In 1718, the first document of regulations was sealed by the town council of Maria and the beginning of the commonwealth.

In 1796, the elected rerepresentatives of Maria, Miquel Gual and Joan Torelló, initiated a long process aimed to have Maria separated from Santa Margalida. Years of struggles past, but eventually, after the reinstatement of liberal governments in the beginning of the 19th century, municipal segregation was finally authorized.

The population steadily increased up through the 19th century, making it necessary to build new houses. In 1931, electricity was introduced, as well as constructions of many other important public facilities.