The Dragon Protector, Refuge of Pirates and Smugglers, and The Zero Meridian: Myths that Surrounded the Island of Sa Dragonera

In the heart of the Mediterranean, among the crystal clear waters of Mallorca. Sa Dragoneraknown for its natural beauty and fascinating history that has witnessed countless stories and legends over the centuries.

The Dragon Protector of sa Dragonera Island

This legend narrates the existence of an army of dragons that protected Mallorca since ancient times.

It is said that due to an episode of extreme polar cold, the dragons fled to warmer places. Leaving one of them as protector of the eggs planted around the island. No one knows if the expected dragons were born from those eggs or if, when they grew up, they followed their ancestors and fled to warmer places at that time.

This brave dragon decided to stay to take care of them and it is said that he now sleeps, becoming the silhouette of what we know as sa Dragonera Island.

Sa Dragonera Island: Refuge of Pirates and Smugglers

For centuries, Sa Dragonera was a refuge for pirates and smugglers who used the abundant fresh water in the Cueva del Moro. Legend suggests that in some sometimes, the dragon woke up and ended up engulfing them. Proof of this would be the numerous shipwrecks that have occurred in its surroundings and the ceramic remains that have been found inside the cave.

Some say that the ships sank after running aground on the uneven bottom of the sea and that to access the lake of the Cueva del Moro it had to be done with ladders.

The remains found correspond to the vessels with which the pirates extracted water and which broke when they tried to reach the surface with them.

The Zero Meridian

Sa Dragonera is located on the old zero meridian, the Paris meridian. For many years, it marked the point through which passed the imaginary north-south line that is the zero longitude to measure all the coordinates of the planet.

If we still stand today on the old sign that reminds us of it and continue in a straight line to the north, they say we would arrive at the heart of Paris.

In 1884, Dragonera Island was robbed of the passage of the Zero Meridian of Paris to replace it with the Greenwich Meridian. But what they will never be able to steal is its beauty, catalogued as Protected Natural Park.

If we still stand today on the old sign that reminds us of it and continue in a straight line to the north, they say we would arrive, exactly in the heart of Paris. 

Back in 1884, La Dragonera was robbed of the passage of the Zero Meridian of Paris to replace it with that of Greenwich, but what they will never be able to steal is its beauty catalogued as a protected Natural Park.

These legends and myths are part of the folklore and history of Mallorca. Contributing to its cultural richness and tourist attraction. Although some of these narratives may have a historical basis, they have also been passed down and embellished over time. Adding a touch of mystery and charm to the region.