The neighbourhoods of Sa Calatrava and Canamunt came together this Friday in a joint event during their festivities to denounce the felling of the bellasombras in Llorenç Villalonga square and demand more protection for urban trees.
About 110 people, including residents of Sa Calatrava and Canamunt, participated this Friday in a joint parade that started from two different points in Palma and converged at Can Salat. The reason: to advocate for the protection of the city's green heritage and denounce the felling of the bellasombras in Llorenç Villalonga square, which occurred in December 2025.
Two neighbourhoods, one cry
The procession from Sa Calatrava began at 19:45 from Can Alcover with around 40 people, many dressed in green and adorned with branches from trees. Half an hour later, the Canamunt parade set off from Quadrado square, with about 70 participants led by the Sant Rescat procession, which carried a banner reading 'Only for residents'.
Among the attendees, T-shirts were seen with the inscription 'Arboricidi bellaombres' ('Arboricide bellasombras') and the historic Drac-Dragonera, driven by a resident on a unicycle. The festive atmosphere did not hide the advocacy tone of the event.
Manifesto against the felling
After converging at Can Salat, both groups continued together to Can Alcover, where Sa Calatrava resident Maria Salom read a manifesto. "Palma is suffering from tree felling everywhere," she denounced, describing the felled specimens as "guardians of the neighbourhood". The text demanded that the city's trees be considered heritage to prevent them from being removed "under dubious circumstances".
The manifesto also criticised the municipal management of the controversial felling and linked the conservation of trees with the fight against climate change. It concluded with a shared wish: "That one day the bellasombras return to their place".
Separate routes after the event
After the reading, the parades took different paths. The residents of Sa Calatrava headed to Llorenç Villalonga square, the site of the felling, while those from Canamunt made their way to Llorenç Bisbal square to continue with their festive programme. The day left images of community unity and a demand that transcends the borders of both neighbourhoods.
For the residents of Palma, this mobilization serves as a reminder that urban trees remain a sensitive issue. The bellasombras, which had been in the square for decades, were felled following a judicial authorization that many residents deemed insufficiently justified. The lingering question is whether the City Council will take measures to safeguard the green heritage before more specimens disappear.
You may also like
