What types of ships did Mallorca use for trade during the medieval period?

Merchant vessels from the Balearic Islands in medieval times reflected the island’s strategic position between the Mediterranean’s key trading hubs. Locals often preferred ships capable of navigating both open sea and the numerous sheltered coves scattered along Mallorca’s coast, such as those at Cala Mondrago and Formentor. Among the trade ships common in this period were sturdy galleons, notable for their large cargo holds and multiple decks, well-suited to long voyages to ports in Catalonia, Italy, and North Africa. These vessels balanced the need to carry valuable goods like Mallorcan almonds, olives, and wine, with protection against piracy and adverse weather on the often unpredictable Mediterranean waters.

Carracks were also a frequent sight departing from the island’s ports, especially Palma and Alcudia. Their broad hulls and high forecastles made them ideal for trading expeditions beyond familiar coastal routes, as well as supporting the flourishing commerce in luxury products such as sobrassada, fine weaving, and local ceramics. For more coastal or regional trading, simpler ships like cogs enabled easier access to smaller harbors and inland waterways on the nearby mainland, mirroring the cog’s importance in northern European trade centers. Together, these ship types formed a crucial backbone to Mallorca’s medieval economy, facilitating cultural and commercial exchange across the Mediterranean basin.