Majorca Holidays Allow You To Revisit History Of The Island

By Author: Daisy Wilkinson
Total Articles: 65
Comment this article

A Spanish island located in the Mediterranean Sea, Majorca is the largest of all Balearic Islands. Also called Mallorca, it is an immensely popular tourist destination just like the other Balearic Islands, such as Ibiza, Formentera, and Menorca. Located off the coast of this island are two smaller islands of Dragonera and Cabrera. Tourists from the UK and Germany visit this island in large numbers every year. It is home to the Palma de Mallorca Airport, which is one of Spain's busiest airports. Besides being a leisure destination, it is also home to some fabulous historic sites that give you interesting insights into its intriguing past.

During your cheap holidays to Majorca, you'll be able to explore some of its ancient sites. This includes the prehistoric settlements called 'talaiots' that are traces of human habitation from the Neolithic era. The seafaring people called 'Phoenicians' arrived from the Levant in the 8th century BC and established many colonies in this region. Later, it came under the control of Carthage, which had become an important Phoenician city around this period. Romans took over Carthage after ...
... the Second Punic War in 123 BC and was occupied by them under Quintus Caecilius Metellus Balearicus.

You can explore the historic ruins from the Roman era while getting around on the island during your Majorca holidays. This part of the Balearic flourished under the rule of the Roman Empire. The towns of Palmaria and Pollentia were founded. Olive cultivation, salt mining, and viticulture were carried out in this region, which contributed immensely to the development of the local economy. The fighting skills of Majorcan soldiers were greatly valued within the Roman legions. However, the Roman rule ended in the 5th century when the Vandals and the Gunderic captured Majorca.

In the year 534, the island was re-captured by the Eastern Roman Empire under Apollinarius. Many churches were built under the Roman rule and Christianity thrived in the region. During the early 8th century, Majorca was constantly attacked by the Muslim raiders who came from the North African region. The Balearic Islands were conquered by Issam al-Khawlani in the early 10th century and a new era of prosperity began under the Emirate of Cordoba. You can witness several historic sites on the island during your Majorca holidays that give you some important insights into the glorious period when the region was ruled by the Moors.

The North African rule of this island ended when it was annexed to the Crown of Aragon under the name Regnum Maioricae. The Spanish rule on the island has continued ever since, although the region saw many turbulent times until the mid-20th century. Majorca was transformed into an attractive tourist destination after 1950 when foreign visitors began arriving on the island for their holidays. Since the beginning of the 21st century, massive urban redevelopments have transformed the entire island. As a result, you can find many hotels and resorts that offer a wide range of accommodations in Majorca today. The redevelopment works have also attracted many immigrant workers from countries of South America and Africa.