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

During the Muslim era (902 – 1229/32), the area of Montuïri belonged under the district called “Muntuy” which also included the municipalities of Algaida and Llucmajor. From the Muslim time, places like Alcoraia, Sabo or Sabor, Rafal Aixat and Mudaina are the most clear toponyms. The Muslim people settled in farmhouses and lived in small tribes.

The Catalan conquest of Mallorca (1229 – 1232) led to a new constellation of districts, as the lands were distributed among knights and supporters of the conquest. It is a bit uncertain which lands of Montuïri belonged to who. However, in 1300, when Mallorca was a kingdom under King Jaume II, the village of Montuïri was established. The king offered 1.775 m2 of land to new settlers, who was given the right to cultivate the soil in return of rents and taxes.

The 14th, 15th and 16th century were all characterized by sad and dark times. First with the plague in 1348, and later the societal conflicts of peasants uprising against the massive tax loads of the lords.

Especially the social conflicts between peasants and lords had big influence on the social structure of the island. It started in 1450, when a mob of small landowners and day-workers felt mistreated and suppressed by the social elite that owned much more land and rented out land to the peasants. The Droughts and lack of know-how made it difficult to make a living, which the bigger landowners took advantage of. With little or no influence, the peasants turned to violence. For three years, blood was shed all over the Mallorcan countryside until the peasants had been defeated. This led to even more tax loads and higher rents, and some even lost their rights to cultivate and forced to leave their homes.

The conflict didn’t end here, however, because in 1520 the conflict arose once again. This time it was the movement of Germanies, an amateur army of artisans. The movement quickly gained support from all over the island, gathering an army of more than 3.000 men. Unlike most other towns in Mallorca, Montuïri was the only one getting looted by the Germanies. The reason is uncertain, but could have been due to the strategic location. In 1522, King Carlos I’s royal troops arrived in the bay of Pollenca to support the nobles in the fight. It did not take the trained soldiers much time to put an end to the unskilled amateur army, it all ended with the battle of Son Fornari in the marsh outside Sa Pobla. The remainder of the Germanies fled to Sineu and went to assault Montuïri again.

The years, even century, following the Germanies were tough; decrease in population and increased fiscal pressure to cover from the damages caused during the years of conflict. Montuïri almost did not have any landowner, just day-labors. According to a cadastre from 1578, there were 24 possessions which counted for almost half of the agricultural wealth of the area (48.450 pesetas out of 100.456).

During this period, vineyards, shrubberies and forests were planted in the municipality, an initiative that in the 17th century proved to be a good decision. In 1685, the number of possessions had reached 39 of which the most profitable belonged to the nobility of the town and to the convent of Santo Domingo in Palma.

Undoubtedly, the 17th century was one of the most remarkable in terms of economic growth. New opportunities arose, the population increased and new infrastructure was built. Some of the best examples from that time are the mills of Montuïri, especially the Molí d’en Fraret, which marks the industry of cereals.

Most of the economical upturn in Montuïri continued well into the 19th century, more precisely to the first Carlist war of Spain. In 1836, the prime minister of Spain, Juan Àlvarez Medizàbal, confiscated all convents and monasteries and auctioned them to private investors in order to raise money to support Isabella II. This caused the Santo Domingo to lose the the properties in Montuïri.

In regards to the Second Republic, the public school in Montuïri was established and named after the mayor of that time, Joan Mas i Verd.

Up until the middle of the 20th century, Montuïri has been committed to agrarian cultivation. However, in more recent times, new sectors and industries has expanded the economical specter such as tourism and other service industries.