The combination of the mountainous and coastal landscapes of Mallorca seems amazing and the vitality of the city of Palma and the authenticity of its picturesque villages make you feel an incredible desire to be part of this place. These are the reasons that make you think: I want to have a house in Mallorca.
However, before you venture blindly into buying a house or a plot of land to build one, here at Icazar we will tell you three things you should know before you take the plunge. Let's get started!
1A little history of Mallorca.
Let us tell you that you are not the first person interested in living in Mallorca, because this place has been inhabited by different cultures throughout its history. The first known inhabitants were the Talayotic people (1300 BC), who built numerous megalithic structures, such as talayots, navetas and taulas - a secret: some remains have survived over time and you can find them in certain places on the island - . In the 3rd century BC, Mallorca was conquered by the Romans, who founded cities such as Palma and Pollentia, and built roads and aqueducts. After the fall of the Roman Empire, the island was conquered by the Byzantines and then in the 8th century by the Muslims.
In 1229 King James I of Aragon conquered Mallorca from the Muslims and established his capital in Palma. During the Middle Ages, the island experienced a period of great prosperity thanks to trade and agriculture. However, in the 17th and 18th centuries, Mallorca suffered several conflicts and epidemics that affected its economy. It was not until the 19th and 20th centuries that Mallorca was able to rediscover prosperity thanks, this time, to tourism. During the 21st century Mallorca consolidated its position as a tourist destination, attracting millions of visitors every year.
2What is the island like?
If you are looking to buy a house in Mallorca, you probably have certain notions of what it is like, but we think it is necessary to remind you of them. Mallorca is characterised by a diversity of landscapes and geographical forms such as mountains, plains, cliffs, beaches and coves. The island has a surface area of approximately 3,600 km² and a coastline of around 550 km.
The most prominent geographical feature of Mallorca is the Serra de Tramuntana, a spectacular mountain range that stretches from the southwest to the north of the island. The central plain of the island, known as the Pla, is made up of a large area of flat, fertile land that is mainly dedicated to agriculture. In this area you will find beautiful and picturesque villages such as Sineu, Montuiri, Petra... The coastline has a large number of beaches and coves, some of which are very popular with tourists. The coast also has cliffs, such as Cap de Formentor in the north of the island, which offers impressive views of the Mediterranean Sea.
3Building regulations.
Now comes the least fun but most necessary part: building regulations. To build in Mallorca you need to know that the island is governed by various laws and regulations that establish the rules and requirements for the construction, renovation and maintenance of houses and buildings. These regulations come from the local councils, the regional government of the Balearic Islands or the Spanish government.
Fortunately at Icazar we are aware of all of them and we have a legal department that is responsible for studying each project and adapting it to the corresponding legal framework.
Have we convinced you to come and live on our island? Then do not hesitate to contact us and tell us what you are looking for, we will be delighted to help you.
See you soon!