The history of Inca dates back to 123 BC with the arrival of Quintus Caecilius Metellus in Mallorca. During Islamic rule, Inca was one of the twelve districts or markets into which the island was divided. Inkan was its name. In the Chronicle of King Conquistador, or “Llibre dels feits” (Book of Deeds), the town is explicitly mentioned as “the largest of Mallorca’s farmsteads.”
Its location between the bays of Palma and Alcúdia makes Inca a natural gathering and living space for people coming from elsewhere. In 1391, a major “revolt of the outsiders” (revuelta foránea) began in Inca. This movement resurfaced strongly in 1450 due to financial losses, loss of honors, and a profound lack of stability. Despite this, Inca continued to grow, guilds emerged, and development across all areas gradually became highly noticeable.
After the bubonic plague of 1652, Inca’s population plummeted from about five thousand inhabitants to just under two thousand, taking centuries to recover. In the 18th century, the local guilds regained their former strength. This era saw the renovation of several landmark temples, including Santa María la Mayor, Santo Domingo, San Francisco, and San Bartolomé of the Hieronymite nuns (locally known in Inca as “ses monges tancades” or “the cloistered nuns”). This historic guild presence is still evidenced today by the trade emblems (blacksmiths, shoemakers, weavers, carpenters, potters, cloth-combers, etc.) displayed above the altarpiece of San Pedro in the Santa María la Mayor parish church.
By 1833, Inca already featured a court of first instance and a Property Registry. This institutional presence, combined with the arrival of the railroad and the rapid rise of the shoemaking industry, gave the town a powerful boost. In 1900, the Queen Regent granted the town of Inca the official title of City in recognition of its industrial, commercial, and agricultural growth.
In the early 20th century, Inca was an open city, highly receptive to social changes and a pioneer of new trends. During the first third of the century, a remarkably strong community association movement flourished across political, social, cultural, and sports spheres.
Today, Inca has a population of around 33,000 inhabitants. It stands as the most industrial city in the Part Forana (the region outside the capital) and, as the capital of the Raiguer Commonwealth, serves as the region’s primary hub for administrative, commercial, and service activities.
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