'Rafael', maritime and cultural heritage of Mallorca

The Consell de Mallorca intends to acquire the vessel Rafael, a barca de bou of the llaüt type, which will become part of the island’s maritime heritage and ensure the preservation of a vessel with significant cultural and historical value.

The Department of Environment, Rural Affairs and Sports has reserved a budget of 220,000 euros from the 2024 treasury surplus with the intention of purchasing this nautical gem, which measures 12.9 meters in length and has a capacity for 25 passengers. It was built in 1915 by the Llompart shipyards in Palma, following the traditional construction methods of Mallorca’s mestres d’aixa (master shipbuilders).

Thus, the Second Vice President and Councillor of Environment, Rural Affairs and Sports, Pedro Bestard, explained that this vessel has a “high cultural and heritage value, as it is one of the last Mallorcan barcas de bou designed for fishing under sail in pairs, dragging the bou net, at a time when engines were not yet in use.”

Its acquisition involves the preservation for the future of a key element in Mallorca’s nautical history and will complement the activities currently carried out by the vessel Balear (Ballester Shipyards, Palma, 1924) to showcase Mallorca’s maritime heritage, mainly among schoolchildren.