ARCHIPIELAGO DE CABRERA NATIONAL PARK

Archipelago de Cabrera National Park was created in 1991. It consists of a group of 19 islands and islets situated to the south of Mallorca, approximately 10 km from Cap de Ses Salines and 12 km from the port of Colonia de Sant Jordi. The park covers an area of 10,021 ha, 1,836 of them belonging to the islands and islets and the rest to the sea. The isolation of the islets has led certain species to evolve independently from those on, say, Mallorca or the mainland. Consequently, there are several species of fauna, flora and lizard which are endemic to the archipelago.

The main island is steeped in history. Talayots, Romans, Arabs, Christians, pirates ... all of them have set foot on Cabrera, for commercial or defensive reasons, looking for refuge in its well sheltered port and exploiting its scarce natural resources. However, the population on the island of Cabrera has never been great. The best preserved historical remain is the castle, which was built at the end of the fourteenth century as a defense against plundering pirates; then in 1809 after the Spanish defeated the French at the Battle of Bailen, thousands of French soldiers were imprisoned on Cabrera. Many died of starvation as supplies only reached the detainees sporadically. An obelisk was later erected in memory of those who perished during this dark chapter in the island's history.

Each of the islands within the archipelago has evolved with different environmental conditions which, in turn, has given rise to different plants and animals. Thirty species of vegetation are exclusive to the area, and 430 different types of plants may be found in total. The abundance of islands and its isolation lead to near perfect conservation conditions which give rise to the interesting ecosystems.

Eighty percent of the world population of Balearic lizard live in the Park and these have evolved into a further 10 sub-species which are indigenous to the park. As the resources cannot support a great number of animals, the food chains are fairly simple with few predators except the birds of prey which include Osprey, the rare Eleanor's Falcon and Peregrine, and Storm Petrel, among others. The National Park is also an important area for seabirds.

Cabrera's deep undisturbed waters are proving themselves an excellent breeding ground for turtles, dolphins, sperm and pilot whales, the carnivorous Goby fish, massive fan mussels (some reaching one metre in length) and a colourful array of corrals. It's quiet situation also makes it an important area for seabirds and birds of prey.

How to reach the Park

The Park only is reached by boat from "Colonia de San Jordi".

From Palma de Mallorca, where the nearest airport is, the port of the Colonia is reached by following the road C-717 as far as Campos (38 km). From there, 6 km after passing through Banyos de Sant Joan, one comes to Colonia de Sant Jordi.

The boat for Cabrera, "la Golondrina", depart every days at ten o'clock in the morning, and it returns at six o'clock in the afternoon. Once on the Park, there are some interesting walks that can be enjoyed. The route to the castle (roughly 2 km) is quite a steep climb but the view at the zenith is worth all the puffing and panting. Then there is a pleasant path to Sa Platgeta (also about 2 km), or a longer walk (about 7 km) to La Miranda. The office on the quay at Cabrera has information and maps for walkers. Opening hours are between 9.30 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Advice of interest to visitors

• Entry to the park is free other than the boat trip from Cala San Jordi. The visiting season is from April to October and the price of the trip includes lunch. Times of sailing are: 9.30 departure and 18.00 return.
• Cabrera can be visited at any time of the year, but spring and the months of September/October are the best time.
• Those visiting the park by own boat need to obtain permission.

National Parks are exceptional areas of the Spanish nature heritage where the environment is protected and visits are possible for everybody's enlightenment. But is also everybody's obligation to conserve and protect it since nature is a heritage of mankind, of the present as well as of future generations.

For full details on the Spanish National Parks (services, towns, hotels, adventure, maps, etc.), please look under "Parques Nacionales" at the website:
http://www.parquesnaturales.com (spanish only)