The centenary fishing boat Rafael, which spent many years based in Palamós on the Costa Brava, has been declared a cultural asset. The decision follows its purchase by the Consell de Mallorca for €175,000, with plans for restoration and long-term conservation.
The declaration was published in the Official State Gazette (BOE) on Tuesday, 2 June 2026, after approval by the Consell de Mallorca on 14 May. The purchase was formalised weeks earlier and announced by the island institution on 23 May.
According to the BOE, the protection applies to historic vessels that meet criteria including age, design, construction, condition and originality. The Rafael is now covered by the highest level of legal protection under the autonomous historical heritage law.
Built in Palma in 1915 at Astilleros Llompart, the boat is a traditional example of early 20th-century sailing. It was designed for fishing using wind power only. The vessel measures 12.90 metres in length, 4.40 metres in beam and 1.33 metres in depth, and it can carry up to 25 passengers.
The Rafael became well known in Palamós through organised excursions run by its skipper. That period allowed many people to sail on a traditional lateen-rigged boat and see its heritage value first-hand.
Over the coming months, the boat will undergo a full restoration plan using traditional techniques employed by mestres d’aixa, the craftspeople who build and repair wooden boats. During that time, it will be open for visits, especially for schoolchildren, so they can learn about its cultural and heritage importance.
The Consell de Mallorca bought the boat from Jan Santolaria Curel, the son and heir of Joan Santolaria Sarabia. Joan Santolaria Sarabia owned the Rafael from 1995 until his death in November 2024, and worked for three decades to maintain and promote traditional lateen sail navigation. He had also expressed a wish for the boat to return to Mallorca.
