History

The first indications of human occupation in the area go back to 2000-1200 BC. Of this period are the artificial coves as burial places (cova de s’Homonet at Son Ribot, Mitjà de ses Beies at Sa Sínia Nova, etc.), and a type of construction similar to the naveta, either isolated or grouped in villages, which were used as living spaces (sa Marineta, s’Hospitalet Vell, etc.).

Of the megalithic Talaiot culture, the most outstanding constructions are s’Hospitalet Vell, es Boc, Bellver, as well as the constructions of Bendrís, Son Sureda and Sa Gruta.

The origin of the municipality of Manacor goes back to the times before the Islamic dominance. The numerous submarine discoveries of objects found in Porto Cristo show that it was a much frequented Roman port. The remains of the basilicas of sa Carrotja and son Peretó prove the existence of well-established Christian communities.

After the invasion launched by James I of Aragon, Nuño Sánchez received from him the land of Manacor. In 1300, James II granted Manacor a statute of municipality. The Torre del Palau and the fortification of some rural houses like the Torre de ses Puntes and the Torre dels Enagistes have been preserved from the beginnings of town planning at Manacor. A native of Manacor, Simó Tort, was an outstanding character in medieval social conflicts.

Saint Vincent Ferrer came to Manacor in 1414. In 1576 was founded the convent dedicated to the saint, and after this the construction of the baroque church began. At the beginning of the following century the construction of the cloister began.

In 1879 the railroad line from Inca to Manacor was opened, and is still active, allowing trips as far as Palma de Mallorca.

About 1890 the construction of the new parish church Nostra Senyora dels Dolors began, located on the same place as the former churches. The most ancient of them had been documented in 1232 and had possibly been built upon an Arab mosque. The bell tower of the present church, an emblem of the town, measures 75 metres.

In 1897 the first factory of artificial pearls, the famous Majorica, was founded. So Manacor became the business and industrial centre of Llevant. In 1912 Manacor received the title of town.

In 1936, during the Spanish Civil War, there was an attempted landing of Republican forces in the shores of Porto Cristo that was repelled by the Nationalists.

After that events, people lived on farms untill turism began developing in the sixties.