es Secar de la Real

Hidden in plain sight, es Secar de la Real whispers tales of a bygone era. This Palma neighborhood, nestled in the city’s northern embrace, isn’t just another suburb. It’s a time capsule, preserving echoes of a rich agricultural past, intertwined with the legacy of Santa Maria de la Real Monastery. Es Secar de la Real wasn’t always a residential haven. Its name, possibly derived from the Arabic word “arriat” meaning orchard or garden, hints at its roots. Imagine a landscape crisscrossed by the life-giving waters of Font de la Vila and En Baster. These waterways nourished a flourishing irrigation system, powering numerous watermills during the Islamic period. Es Secar de la Real’s transformation began after the Catalan conquest. King James I granted Count Nunó Sanç permission to build a Cistercian monastery in 1230. This monastery, initially located in Son Cabrer, found its permanent home at es Secar de la Real in 1266. The monastery became a powerful force, controlling Esporles, the alqueria of Deià, and the honor of Sant Llorenç. It also held rights to much of the area’s water, further solidifying its influence. A pivotal moment in es Secar de la Real’s history arrived in 1310. An agreement between Abbot de la Real and King James II saw the Cistercian community cede water from Font de la Vila to Palma while retaining their rights to En Baster. This agreement shaped the future of both the monastery and the city. Life in es Secar de la Real revolved around agriculture. Possessions like Son Cabrer, Son Serra Parera, and la Vinya de la Real dotted the landscape. Watermills continued to grind flour into the 20th century, a testament to the enduring importance of water. The 19th century saw a shift towards cereals and almond trees, but irrigated agriculture persisted. The community of irrigators even formed a union in 1870, extending its reach to Son Sardina and S’Esgleieta. The desamortización of 1835-37 marked a turning point. The monastery was dissolved, its lands sold, and the area’s properties fragmented. Despite this upheaval, es Secar de la Real continued to evolve. A small workers’ movement emerged in the early 20th century. Improved transport links, including a tram line to Palma inaugurated in 1928, brought the city closer. Es Secar de la Real’s transformation into a residential area accelerated in the 1960s. Tourism’s rise led to an agricultural decline, and land fragmentation intensified. The urbanization of Can Serra Parera and Ca na Verda in the 1970s ushered in a new era. Today, es Secar de la Real retains echoes of its past. The monastery, with its Gothic and Baroque elements and the valuable Biblioteca Balear, stands as a reminder of the area’s rich history. The neighborhood’s two residents’ associations, one founded in 1977 and the other in 2009, work to preserve its unique character. Es Secar de la Real’s story is one of adaptation and resilience, a testament to the enduring power of place.