“Can you hear the echoes of a city gate long gone?” That’s what the Creu de sa Porta des Camp might ask if it could speak. This cross marks a place steeped in Palma’s history. It stands where the Porta des Camp once stood. This was a main entrance to the city.
The Creu de sa Porta des Camp now stands near Avenida de Gabriel Alomar i Villalonga. Public transit is easily accessible. Buses and trains run nearby. Several bus stops are just a short walk away from the Creu de sa Porta des Camp. Porta Des Camp 2 and 458-Porta Des Camp are the closest. The Jacint Verdaguer train station is also within walking distance.
Imagine Palma surrounded by walls. The Porta des Camp was a vital part of these defenses. A bridge crossed the moat outside the gate. Joan Riera says the city’s walls date back to 1620. Riera is the Manager of Urbanisme. The moat was filled in, and Plaça de la Porta del Camp was built on top in 1902.
Major changes have occurred here since the military homes were demolished 15 years ago. The restoration of Baluard del Príncep started in 2009. It has been carried out in phases.
Phase E restored the bastion and urbanised Carrer de la Porta del Mar. Calle Bastiò del Príncipe and Carrer de Bala Roja were also part of Phase E. It was completed in 2017 at a cost of 1.5 million euros. Phase D will connect the moat and the staircase to the plaza. It covers 11729 square metres. Phase F includes the reception building. It also includes an interpretation centre. Phases D and F cost 4.1 million euros. The Ministry of Development funded them. All the Baluard del Príncep work is expected to be finished next year.
The Creu de sa Porta des Camp serves as a reminder. It is a reminder of Palma’s past. The cross witnessed the city’s growth. The cross saw walls rise and fall. The gate is gone, but the Creu de sa Porta des Camp remains. It is a symbol of resilience and change.
Take a moment to appreciate this cross. Think about the stories it could tell. The Creu de sa Porta des Camp is more than a stone monument. It is a link to Palma’s vibrant past.