There is an amazing amount of old stuff around in Mallorca. Sadly, a large number of old buildings were desecrated, destroyed or built upon, largely in those cases where old remnants belonged to the Islamic period. Such demolition was committed after the Reconquista in 1229. Other old and valuable structures were demolished at the beginning of the 20th century in the name of town planning, such as Palma’s magnificent fortified walls. Or sites of archaeological significance – of which there are a few hundred on the island – are often in a deplorable state of disregard. Anything is neglected that does not serve as a tourist attraction.

However, now and then one can find a little treasure, where perhaps a careful restoration of one particular building might uncover details such as wall graffitis paying tribute to island life before the advent of tourism. You have to keep your eyes open, though, in order to be able to spot such testimony of times long since passed. Samples of wall scratchings and cave paintings (caves is used here as a synonymous euphemism) can be found at the Castell de Bellver, in the Catedral de Palma, in the Palau Episcopal, in the Palau de l’Almudaina, in the Castell de Sant Carles and in a few other places.

The fine sample shown here can be found at the Torre d’Enagistes in Manacor, a building dating back to the 14th century. I believe these wall scratchings to date back to the 16th or 17th century. The Torre is now the home of the Museu d’Història de Manacor.

The photo was chosen from my archive. It was taken in Manacor, Mallorca, Spain. The date: November 20th, 2008. The time was 12:16:21.