Sa Dragonera has witnessed a rich and varied history dating back to the Talayotic era. Over the centuries, this island has served multiple purposes, from being a Roman burial site to a refuge for smugglers. In recent decades, the island has been a symbol of the environmental struggle in the Balearic Islands. In this blog, we will look at the most significant moments in its history and the importance of its conservation today. Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
Talayotic and Roman Period
The first signs of human activity in Sa Dragonera date back to the Talayotic period, with vestiges of a settlement in a wall of Tramuntana. Although these remains have not yet been fully studied, it is suggested that during Roman times the island was used as a necropolis, as evidenced by the finding in Es Lladó.
From the X Century to the XVIII Century
Since 902, there are records of sporadic visits to Sa Dragonera, mainly for the supply of fresh water. In 1229, James I used the island as a base to prepare the attack on Mallorca. Throughout the 14th to 18th centuries, the island was the scene of numerous corsair raids, and a lookout post was documented at na Pòpia in 1342. In 1581 and 1585 the watchtowers of na Pòpia and Llebeig were built, respectively.
Nineteenth and twentieth centuries
In 1811, Sa Dragonera became the property of the Villalonga family. Later, in 1850, the Far de na Pòpia was built, replacing the pre-existing tower. In 1880, Archduke Lluís Salvador described the island in his work “Die Balearen”. The lighthouses of Tramuntana and Llebeig began operating in 1910. The island changed hands several times during the 20th century, notably its purchase by Joan March Ordinas in 1934 and its subsequent acquisition by Joan Flexas de s'Almudaina in 1941, who modified the landscape for agriculture and used the island as a refuge for smuggling.
In 1974, the company PAMESA bought the island with plans to build a massive urbanization, which led to an intense environmental campaign. Finally, in 1984, the National Court decreed the impossibility of urbanization, and in 1987, the Consell de Mallorca bought the island.
Claim Posters
The Declaration of Natural Park
On January 26, 1995, the Balearic Government declared Sa Dragonera, together with the islets of Pantaleu and Sa Mitjana, a Natural Park. This declaration ensured the conservation of the island, allowing both current inhabitants and future generations to enjoy its beauty and biodiversity.
Cruceros Margarita is proud to support the sustainability and protection of Sa Dragonera. Aware of the importance of maintaining the island's biodiversity and ecosystems, we promote responsible and ecological practices in all our operations. We actively work to ensure that future generations can enjoy the beauty and natural wealth of this iconic island, contributing to the preservation of its historical and environmental legacy.
Margarita Ferry
Sa Dragonera is a remarkable example of how determination and community action can preserve a natural space of great historical and ecological value. From its first uses by humans until its declaration as a Natural Park, the island has been a focal point of conservation and respect for the environment.
