Don’t take my word for it, but it is said that the island of Mallorca was conquered by the Romans in the year 123 B. C. under General Quintus Caecilius Metellus.

Within a hundred years, some 3,000 Roman citizens were brought to this island. Mallorca was thus incorporated into Republican Rome, and remained so for almost 600 years.

Pollentia was made the capital of Mallorca, which is not today’s Pollença, as one would think, but is actually near today’s Alcúdia.

Quite a few archaeological sites can still be found on the outskirts of modern day Alcúdia, such as the site of an age-old, worn Roman amphitheatre (as shown in my photo), or a Roman bridge.

Alcúdia also offers us a very interesting Museum of Roman Art, the Museu Monográfico de Pollentia. Well worth a visit. Opening hours are Tuesday to Friday, 10h00 to 16h00, as well as Saturday and Sunday, 10h00 to 14h00. Entry charges are a modest 2 €.

The photo was chosen from my archive. It was taken in the town of Alcúdia, Mallorca, Spain. The date: May 14th, 2005. The time was 17:16:03.