778 years ago today, on December 31st, 1229, Mallorca was recaptured from the hands of the occupying Moors.

King Jaume I from Catalunya-Aragon sailed to Mallorca with a contingent of Catalan men (and finance) to conquer the island back from the Muslim invaders who had occupied the Balearic Islands since 902. The armada landed in Santa Ponsa some time in September of that year, but a final document of surrender was signed between the Arab leader, Abu Yahia and King Jaume I, on the last day of 1229.

Mallorca became a Kingdom in its own right some 30 years later, in 1262. However, the Kingdom of Mallorca only lasted until the Battle of Llucmajor, in 1349.

My photo shows a statue of King Jaume I (James The Conqueror) which is situated in Plaza España in the island capital, Palma de Mallorca.

The photo was taken in Palma de Mallorca, Spain. The date: December 22nd, 2007. The time was 13:11:46.