France/ A strong bond unites them: Perpignan officially twinned with this famous Spanish town
On Wednesday September 4, 2024, Perpignan signed its twinning agreement with Palma de Mallorca (Spain), the capital of the Balearic Islands. Here's the link between the two towns.
It's now official. On Wednesday September 4, 2024, the city of Perpignan signed its twinning agreement with Palma de Majorca (Spain). The partnership, signed by mayor Louis Aliot (RN) and his counterpart Jaime Martínez Llabrés, is by no means insignificant. The Catalan city and the seaside resort of 425,000 inhabitants share a common history.
Perpignan and Palma, the two "capitals" of the Kingdom of Majorca
Perpignan and Palma were once under the same banner. The two cities were the most radiant of the Kingdom of Majorca, founded thanks to the conquests of James I of Aragon in the first half of the 13th century.
The kingdom extended from the Balearic Islands (including Palma, Ibiza and Menorca) to Roussillon (including Perpignan), Cerdagne, the seigneury of Montpellier and the viscounty of Carlat in Auvergne. On his death in 1276, the King of Aragon divided his lands. His eldest son, Peter III, received the Count of Barcelona and the kingdoms of Aragon and Valencia.
His youngest son, James II, took over the kingdom of Majorca. Under his reign, Perpignan became the kingdom's "continental" capital, while Palma was considered a "maritime capital".
The golden age of Perpignan
He launched construction of the Palace of the Kings of Majorca as his residence. He died in 1311.
He was succeeded by the kings Sanch (1311-1324) and Jacques III (1324-1349). During this period, Perpignan enjoyed an economic golden age. In addition to the Palais, they were also responsible for a host of other buildings: the Saint-Jean-Baptiste cathedral, the Réal church, the Carmes church...
This period of splendor and prosperity came to an end in 1344 when Peter IV, King of Aragon and brother-in-law of James III (with whom he was in conflict), succeeded in conquering the kingdom of Mallorca. Five years later, in 1349, James III tried to regain his lands. In vain. He died on the battlefield, and his kingdom officially became part of the Crown of Aragon.
What is the purpose of this twinning?
Signed on Wednesday September 4 (a symbolic date, since it's the 700th anniversary of King Sanch's death), this twinning agreement delighted Louis Aliot: "At last, our two towns are coming together! It's about time, as Palma and Perpignan shared an exceptional destiny in the 13th century", declared the Perpignan mayor.
In concrete terms, this partnership will enable the two cities to cooperate on a number of themes, including culture, heritage and tourism. On the latter point, Palma has plenty of experience. Every summer, the island of Mallorca welcomes an average of two million tourists.
We're committed to cooperation and exchanges. We can complement each other in a number of areas, such as wine, boating and sport.
Louis Aliot Mayor of Perpignan
Perpignan and its many twinning links
The Perpignan mayor also announced the creation of joint exhibitions with the Rigaud Museum, as well as a cross-border study of Gothic heritage with Palma, Valencia and Mallorca. "Long live Palma de Majorque and long live Perpignan", concluded Louis Aliot.
o recall, Perpignan is also closely linked and/or twinned with Hanover (Germany), Lancaster (UK), Lake Charles (USA), Ma'alot-Tarshiha (Israel), Tyre (Lebanon), Tavira (Portugal), Mostaganem (Algeria) or more recently Chernovograd (Ukraine).
Finally, since 1995, Perpignan has been twinned with Sarasota in the United States. A trip to Florida is planned for the autumn to celebrate thirty years of twinning between the two cities, announced the mayor.
Source: actu.fr/occitanie/
