Son Cotoner

Slipping through a time warp, we find ourselves in 1528. Bernat Cotoner Tomás is making a shrewd land purchase. He’s acquiring three small farms, rafals, in a place called el Vinyet. These combined plots, nestled between Ca l’Eriçó, la Sínia d’en Gil, Ca Dona Aina, Son Maçanet, the Puigpunyent road, and Son Moix Negre, will soon become the heart of Son Cotoner. Fast forward to the present day, and we stand in the vibrant neighborhood of Son Cotoner in Palma de Mallorca. It’s a far cry from the tranquil vineyards of the 16th century. Yet, echoes of the past linger. Son Cotoner’s story is a tapestry woven with threads of family legacies, legal battles, and urban transformation. The Cotoner family, originally from Siena, Italy, held onto the land for centuries. The original houses, partially preserved and now part of a shopping mall, stand as silent witnesses to this enduring lineage. In 1685, the estate was valued at an impressive 9,000 pounds. The family’s grip on Son Cotoner loosened in the 18th century due to financial woes. Onofre Joaquim Aguiló Cortés, a savvy merchant, swooped in at an auction in 1718. He purchased the estate, which then spanned 40 quarterades (a traditional land measure). Aguiló not only expanded Son Cotoner by adding the neighboring Son Calafat, but also meticulously cleared all outstanding debts on the land. He consolidated his holdings, leaving a legacy for his grandson, Onofre Josep. The story continues its intricate dance through generations of the Aguiló family, marked by marriages, inheritances, and the occasional legal tussle. In 1818, Son Cotoner had grown to 59 quarterades, a testament to the family’s prosperity. By the late 19th century, the estate passed to José Luis Aguiló Cortés. It was then valued at a staggering 80,000 escudos, reflecting its prime location and expansive size. The 20th century ushered in an era of rapid development, transforming Son Cotoner from a rural estate into a bustling suburb of Palma. Eugenio Aguiló Aguiló began parceling the land in 1936, setting the stage for the Son Cotoner we see today. Streets were laid out, schools and an institute were built, and the neighborhood took on its modern form. In 1990, a significant portion of the original estate, including the old manor houses, was sold. These historic buildings were carefully renovated as part of a new shopping mall, seamlessly blending the past and present. This is Son Cotoner. A testament to a rich history, a vibrant present, and a future yet to be written.