History of Búger
Learn how Banyalbufar has developed through time
The area of Búger has been inhabited by humans since prehistoric times. The caves of Can Mossenya found on the slopes of the Sa Mata Grossa hill, is a clear evidence of the human occupation in the area. There is also evidence of human occupation dating back from the talayotic cultures found at the Rafal des Puig.
The location of the area close to the main road between Palma and the former Roman city of Pol-lentia suggests that the Romans could have very well been cultivating the area.
However, it was during the Islamic dominance of Mallorca that the area started to prosper thanks to the watering systems introduced by the Moors that allowed irrigation and the cultivation of crops, vegetables and fruits. During the Islamic period, the area of Búger belonged to Inca, or Inkan, as it was known as at that time.
In the time after the Catalan conquest of Mallorca (1229 – 1232), Búger was part of an area that included Campanet, Ullaró and Sa Pobla. In the beginning of the 14th century, Sa Pobla obtained its independence due to a fast growing congregation, and in 1368 Campanet was constituted as municipality.
The next centuries, Búger grew and developed as an agricultural community. However, in the beginning of the 16th century there was a setback. Mallorca saw a small revolution started by artisans, who were tired of the massive tax load from the king of Aragon, as well as the corruption among the nobility. The rebellion group grew quickly and peasants of Búger soon joined, along with peasants from most other areas on the island. The king, however, did not tolerate this behavior and sent an army of nearly 3,000 men to Mallorca to deal with this issue. It took about two years of fighting before the rebellion group faced their final defeat against the trained soldiers, and the rebellion’s leaders were imprisoned and later hung in the Bellver castle in Palma.
Again in 1666, Búger faced persecution due to dissatisfied peasants who felt poorly treated. This again led to struggles and fights, however, not as violent as the prior.
The congregation of Búger fought for centuries to become their own independent parish, but failed due to resistance from Campanet. In 1579, however, a chapel was erected in Búger for religious services. But it wasn’t until the beginning of the 18th century, after more years of turbulence, banditry and plague, that Búger again started to grow and prosper from agriculture and horticulture. In 1718, vicar Paires Estrany managed to convince the bishop to let a new church erect in Búger.
At the end of the 18th century, Búger saw even more increase in income due to demand and trade, which meant that several properties such as on Alemany, Son Trascó, Son Genet and others were expanded and enhanced. Now Búger started to form an urban nucleus, as employment on these farms accelerated.
Reforms of liberalism in the 19th century finally led to independence in 1812, thanks to the Spanish Constitution, although ecclesiastical independence wasn’t achieved until about 100 years later in 1913.
Today, Búger still relies on agriculture and horticulture as its main source of income. Tourism has not yet done its entrance in the area, although a few charming finca hotels has been established.
