Sa Pobla's early history
The earliest signs of human presence in this area date back to the Talayotic period. Small archaeological remains from this time, such as Sa Paret des Moros and Cap de Bou de Talapi, suggest early human activity in the region.
The Romans arrived in the Balearic Islands in 123 BC under Quintus Caecilius Metellus. In the area now known as Crestatx, discoveries of amphorae, ceramics and coins point to a Roman presence. The name “Crestatx” comes from the Latin word castra, meaning “camp”, which supports the idea that the earliest settlement linked to what is now Sa Pobla began there.
Moorish rule and King Jaume I
During Muslim rule, Sa Pobla belonged to the Inca district and was known as "Huayar-Alfar" or "Huayar-Alfhas," meaning "elms of the field" or "water of the meadow." Evidence of this period remains in waterwheels, fountains and place names like Talapi, Sa Marjal and el Rafal.
The area likely offered little resistance to King Jaume I during the conquest of Mallorca in 1229. According to the Llibre del Repartiment, the king granted land to knights from Barcelona who joined the campaign. Sa Pobla was officially founded in 1300 under the Ordinacions of Jaume II. A new settlement was established on the site of the current town, replacing the earlier centre at Crestatx
The Middle Ages
A period of intense social conflict, with Sa Pobla playing a key role due to its location and agricultural importance. Major uprisings like the Revolta Forana (1450–53) and the Germanies (1520–23) led to clashes between peasants and Palma’s landowning classes. Notable battles include Muro (1451), Son Sabater (1522) and Son Fornari (1522).
The 16th and 17th centuries to modern day
During these years Sa Pobla faced severe subsistence crises caused by poor harvests and drought. A major economic shift came in the late 19th century, when new farming techniques and the drying of the Albufera boosted agricultural output. This transformation made Sa Pobla one of the island’s most prosperous areas, marked by the arrival of the railway in 1878.
Today, agriculture remains central to the local economy. Sa Pobla is especially known for its large-scale potato production, with much of it exported to the UK. In recent years, the service sector and holiday tourism have also grown steadily.
