The Christian Conquest of Mallorca in 1229 đ´ââ ď¸đđ°
If youâve ever wandered through the old quarter of Palma, past the Cathedral, or sunbathed in Santa Ponça, itâs hard to imagine that nearly 800 years ago, this quiet island was the stage for one of the most important military campaigns of the Crown of Aragon.
Weâre talking about the conquest of Mallorca in 1229, led by King Jaume I (James in English), also known as "el Conquistador" â and for good reason.
Why Mallorca?
Back then, Mallorca wasnât just a beautiful island with sunny beaches and olive trees. It was under Muslim rule, part of the Almohad Empire, and its capital, Madina Mayurqa (today's Palma), was a flourishing trade hub in the Western Mediterranean. But it had also become a serious problem for the Christian kingdoms of the mainland â pirates based in Mallorca were attacking merchant ships along the Catalan coast, especially around Barcelona and Tarragona.
The conquest wasnât just about faith â it was about securing maritime trade, controlling sea routes, and expanding influence. The sea was the future, and whoever held Mallorca held the keys to the western Mediterranean.
The Landing at Santa Ponça
On September 5th, 1229, Jaumeâs fleet â some 150 ships â departed from Salou, Cambrils, and Tortosa. Since there was a dangerous storm during their trip, the troops spent the night at a little island of Mallorcaâs West coast called Pantaleu on the 7th of September. They also rested in La Dragonera, a bigger island that you can visit also off Mallorcaâs West shore.
The Christian army waited until midnight to disembark at Santa Ponça, on the southwest coast of the island. Thereâs even a cross monument there today marking the exact spot of the landing. The area offered a sheltered bay and a relatively flat beach, ideal for unloading troops and horses.
The initial clashes took place near Puig de sa Morisca, a small hill overlooking the landing site. From there, Jaume's forces moved inland, toward the heart of the island.
The Siege of Madina Mayurqa (Palma)
The main goal was clear: take Madina Mayurqa, the islandâs fortified capital. The city was located where Palma still stands today, but back then, it was surrounded by solid Muslim-built walls, and defended by a population used to fighting off Berber and Christian threats alike.