The textile industry of Sóller

In Sóller the exportation of silk and the existence of some weavers, above all women, are documented since the 17th century. Moreover, the production of worsted is also documented.

In the 19^th century there was an incipient industrialization in the area and the capitalist system was introduced, specially in the textile industry and for this reason important investments in highly mechanized factories were made. The transoceanic emigration to Puerto Rico or to France and the commercialisation of the orange favoured these great investments.

The created infrastructure helped to foster a commercial network of the textile production. In this atmosphere of economic expansion, the Bank of Sóller was also created (1890-1943).

Different textile companies from Sóller specialized in making striped clothe, one of the main fabrics which were exported. During the first two decenniums of the 20^th century the textile industry experienced a period of productive expansion.

In 1928 there were 9 productive textile factories.

During the decenniums of 1950 and 1960, the textile industry as well as the factories disappeared. Among other reasons, this was caused by the impossibility to adapt itself to the synthetic clothes, the lack of inversions to modernise, the technical backwardness...

The businessmen started focusing their attention on other business which were more profitable and didn't require this extent of modernisation: the acquisition of real estates, tourism and the first hotels.

In 1970 they closed all the factories, with the exception of Ca les Ànimes which resisted the crisis until 1990 when it finally closed.