A British Expat’s tale of evolution in Palmanova
For decades Palmanova has attracted British tourists, many who are so enamoured with the relaxed lifestyle they have returned to live permanently. I caught up with expat and Palmanova resident Yvonne Cotton who not only explained why she moved, but also was able to provide a fascinating insight from firsthand experience into its history, from sleepy coastal village, to thriving tourist destination.
“I lived in Southampton until I got married. As my husband had theatre companies in Scotland, I moved up to be with him. We started coming to
Palmanova for holidays around 1969 and decided to buy a holiday apartment in Palmanova in 1973. My husband was very much into having Mallorcan friends, so we had a foot in both communities and had some lovely holidays here. But it was not until my husband sold his company in 1988 that we came out to live permanently. Sadly, he passed away in 1995.”
Over the years, Yvonne had become friendly with the Roses family, who were the founders of Palmanova. Later she was to find herself in the heart of the evolution of the area when she became close with Pepe Roses after his wife died. She became his partner, living with him for over 20 years as he constructed on family land to create the Palma Nova we see today.
“In 1932 Pepe’s grandfather bought all the land around the area, his intention was to create a new Palma, that he called Palmanova. The whole idea of Palmanova was to be an urbanisation for people from Palma who wanted a home for holidays near the sea. Many of the streets have names of the Roses family and friends, and there still remains a large ceramic wall design which shows the history and name of the streets. The family lived along the Paseo in a large house with gardens in the area that is now the Fergus hotel.
“Sadly his son Lorenzo, Pepe’s father, was shot by Franco’s men during the civil war in1938 along with
the
Mayor of Palma. This brute force showed that even the richest men were vulnerable in Franco’s regime.
“The Roses family owned all the land right the way along the beach to San Matias and up to around where Lidl is now. Pepe built the two large blocks of apartments next to McDonalds and others. Ciro’s was originally his Pizzeria that he built to try to recreate a typical rustic Italian restaurant. He brought over a wood oven and a chef from Italy, that was quite a new thing then. Way back, the former Cala Blanca Hotel, now the Zel beach bar, was the very first and only chiringuito, (little beach bar) along the beach. The beaches at that time were very narrow, some hardly wide enough for a few beach beds, but in 1993 and 1994 they started regenerating the beaches by bringing in sand from way out. Originally the sea came right up to Ciros, but now the beaches are very wide and spacious. Pepe enjoyed creating. He built the San Lorenzo Church and also a bungalow for his mother Delores below Yaya where I live now.
“Pepe died in 2013 and I was given a lot of support from his family. When you know Mallorcans well, you find they are such solid, kind people. They really hold you up and carry you through tough times, and are very friendly caring people.
“These days I travel widely but am always happy to come back to Palmanova. Even though it is a holiday resort, I feel there is a peace here. There is absolutely everything. I enjoy the wide variety of restaurants, shops and supermarkets. Most importantly as a woman on my own I can walk at night knowing I am perfectly safe. I often just go for a walk in the evenings and usually bump into someone I know to chat. The climate is good. It may get too hot in summer, but compared to what they have been experiencing in Britain I know how lucky we are.
“Also the local council offer really good facilities for pensioners. During Covid they regularly called to make sure I was alright and whether I needed shopping or help in any way. When lockdown started I was in Australia, and as a resident they helped to get me back, even ensuring I had a taxi from the airport and food at home. They really take care of you and the health service in Mallorca is so good. I feel very privileged for my life here and to call Palmanova my home.”
FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 2024
MALLORCA BULLETIN
“I love Palmanova because it’s really quiet and at the same time it’s got plenty going on. In Palmanova you can find absolutely everything you want, whether it’s time to chill with your family, you want to have a nice dinner in any of the lovely restaurants or if you just want a relaxing walk along the sea front.
For me Palmanova is home sweet home, the most beautiful place in the world”