The ‘Rafael’ barca de bou returns to Mallorca and becomes part of the island’s maritime heritage

The island institution has acquired this nautical gem, which returns to form part of the maritime heritage of all Mallorcans.

The Council of Mallorca has formalised the purchase of the historic vessel Rafael, one of the last first-generation “barques de bou” built in Palma and recently declared an Asset of Cultural Interest (BIC), granting it the highest level of protection under Balearic heritage law.

The notarised purchase, for €175,000, took place this week at the headquarters of the island institution. The president of the Consell de Mallorca, Llorenç Galmés, and the owner of the boat, Jan Santolaria Curel, formalised the purchase in an event attended by the Minister for Environment, Rural Affairs and Sports, Pedro Bestard, and the Minister for Finance and Public Service, Rafael Bosch.

Also present was Michele Curel, partner of the previous owner Joan Santolaria Sarabia, who owned the vessel for 30 years and carried out extensive work to maintain and promote traditional llaüt sailing.

President Llorenç Galmés celebrated “the acquisition of this nautical jewel, which returns to Mallorca and expands the island’s maritime heritage,” and stressed that the vessel “represents an essential part of the history, culture, and heritage of all Mallorcans.”

Minister Bestard explained that once the purchase process is completed, restoration will begin at a traditional mestres d’aixa shipyard workshop to ensure the preservation of a vessel with significant cultural and historical value.

On 14th of May, the historic boat was declared an Asset of Cultural Interest, a status that ensures its protection under the highest heritage conservation framework.

In the coming months, the vessel will undergo a restoration plan involving a full review of this traditional Mallorcan barca de bou and the replacement of deteriorated elements using traditional mestres d’aixa techniques. During its time in the workshop, the boat will be open to visitors, especially school groups, to help them learn about its cultural and historical importance.

The Rafael was built in 1915 at the Llompart Shipyards in Palma as a first-generation barca de bou and is a unique example of early 20th-century traditional sailing.

It was designed for fishing under sail alone, powered only by wind. With a length of 12.90 metres, a beam of 4.40 metres, and a depth of 1.33 metres, it is built from oak and olive wood frames and pine planking, and has a capacity for 25 passengers.

The vessel was purchased from its current owner, Jan Santolaria Curel, son and heir of Joan Santolaria Sarabia, who owned it for 30 years and devoted significant effort to its maintenance and to promoting traditional llaüt sailing. He owned the boat from 1995 until his death in November 2024, having expressed his wish for the Rafael to return to Mallorca.

For many years, the Rafael was based in Palamós on the Costa Brava, during which time many people were able to discover it through sailing trips organised by its skipper.

Its acquisition ensures the preservation for future generations 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), helping to showcase Mallorca’s maritime heritage, especially to school audiences.