{"id":22555,"date":"2025-09-29T10:35:24","date_gmt":"2025-09-29T08:35:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/roig.com\/?p=22555"},"modified":"2025-09-29T10:42:18","modified_gmt":"2025-09-29T08:42:18","slug":"the-signs-and-symbols-youll-see-in-mallorca-and-wont-understand-until-you-read-this-article","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/roig.com\/en\/the-signs-and-symbols-youll-see-in-mallorca-and-wont-understand-until-you-read-this-article\/","title":{"rendered":"The signs and symbols you\u2019ll see in Mallorca and won\u2019t understand\u2026 until you read this article"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

When you visit our island, you\u2019ll notice signs and symbols of Mallorca that might seem unfamiliar<\/strong>. They’re part of our DNA, our history, and our culture\u2014something only a true Mallorcan would fully understand… until now!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At ROIG, we want you to dive deeper into our culture. That\u2019s why we\u2019ve put together this article, where we\u2019ll uncover the meanings behind the stone crosses, the ceramic tiles with names on fa\u00e7ades, and the green shutters<\/strong> that adorn so many houses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019ll explain why these symbols are essential to understanding the Mallorcan spirit. Let\u2019s begin!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most curious signs and symbols you\u2019ll find in Mallorca<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Among Mallorca\u2019s streets, historic buildings, and hidden corners lie signs and symbols that tell tales of surprising legends<\/strong>, mysteries of the past, and unique traditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you enjoy discovering the essence of a place through its quirks, here are some symbols you simply can\u2019t miss on your visit to the island.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The snail and the dragon<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The fa\u00e7ade of Palma\u2019s Town Hall <\/strong>hides a secret very few travellers know. Look closely and you\u2019ll spot a snail and a dragon carved into the stone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Legend has it that these were the work of builders Jaume Caragol and Francesc Drag\u00f3, <\/strong>who, annoyed that the regent failed to recognise their efforts, decided to leave their mark as an act of revenge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since then, the snail and the dragon have become a challenge for the most observant visitors:<\/strong> are you ready to find them? Without doubt, it\u2019s one of the best things to do in Mallorca to soak up its most popular traditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Drac de Na Coca<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In the 17th century, the people of Palma lived in fear of a dragon<\/strong> said to be hiding in the city\u2019s labyrinth of sewers. One night, knight Bartomeu Coch<\/strong> confronted the creature, defeated it, and offered its body to his beloved as a symbol of bravery and eternal love.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, the mummified remains of the Drac de Na Coca<\/strong> can be seen at Palma\u2019s Diocesan Museum<\/strong>. What\u2019s more, on summer nights, guided tours recount this and other legends, giving the city\u2019s streets a mysterious air.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The cistern of vengeance<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Opposite number 12 on Carrer de la Concepci\u00f3 stands the Sepulcre Fountain<\/strong>, a 10th-century Arab cistern<\/strong> that supplied water to the population for centuries. But this spot also hides one of the city\u2019s murkiest stories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is said that in the 15th century, Barthomeu Cantarelles threw his brother-in-law into the waters of the cistern<\/strong> so that his wife could inherit his property. The crime was uncovered, and the murderer was hanged in 1459, his body left on public display as punishment. Today, the fountain remains discreetly in place, carrying a past marked by tragedy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Portop\u00ed lighthouse<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Palma Bay is guarded by the Portop\u00ed lighthouse<\/strong>, one of the oldest in Spain still in operation. Since the 14th century, it has witnessed the island\u2019s maritime history, guiding ships safely to its shores.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beyond its role as a beacon, the lighthouse houses a permanent<\/strong> exhibition on maritime signals<\/strong>, where you can discover how navigation technology has evolved through the centuries. A must-see for lovers of the sea and history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A wake with a twist at Santa Clara convent<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

On Carrer de Fonollar stands the portal of the church of the Santa Clara convent<\/strong>, a place brimming with spirituality and surprising tales.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One such story tells how, in the 13th century, during the wake of a lady who was to be buried with a valuable ring<\/strong>, one of the guards attempted to steal the jewel. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unable to pull it from her finger, he bit it\u2026 and suddenly, the woman awoke<\/strong>. The supposed funeral turned into an unexpected return to life, leaving one of the most striking legends still circulating within the convent walls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What the ceramic tiles with names on fa\u00e7ades mean<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In places like Valldemossa, Dei\u00e0, S\u00f3ller, or Fornalutx,<\/strong> it\u2019s almost impossible to walk around without noticing them: small ceramic tiles embedded in fa\u00e7ades, bearing names and often religious images.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These pieces, known as <\/strong>rajoles de nom<\/em><\/strong> or ceramic plaques, were the traditional way of identifying a home<\/strong> long before house numbering became common.<\/p>\n\n\n\n