Can Morató: Pollença recovers a symbol of its history
This Wednesday, the foundation stone was laid for what will be Colonya's future headquarters, an iconic building.
PollençaThe laying of the foundation stone for the future headquarters of Colonya, the Pollença Savings Bank, and the Guillem Cifre de Colonya Foundation, in the former Can Morató factory, brought together a significant representation of Pollensa society this Wednesday. The event marks the beginning of a long-awaited and very special project for the community, which sees one of the most significant spaces in its collective memory preparing to be reborn.
A space with memory
The Can Morató factory is no ordinary building. Between 1922 and 1967, it employed hundreds of people and made Pollença an international benchmark in rug and carpet production. Many families in the municipality were linked to it, and for this reason, the factory is part of the town's identity. After decades of neglect, the building fell into disrepair, but its memory and heritage value never faded.
So when Colonya announced its intention to open the new headquarters, the news was met with excitement and uncertainty. The road hasn't been easy: the licensing process was long and complex, and the project had to overcome significant administrative hurdles. Today, with the cornerstone laid, this dream is now a reality.
A project with soul
The design by architects Jordi Badia and Erik Herrera aims to respect the essence of the original building. The walls and the old courtyard will be preserved, incorporating new spaces to transform Can Morató into a vibrant and open space. The new headquarters will house both Colonya's headquarters and cultural and social spaces: an auditorium, a museum dedicated to the factory's history, and areas open to the public.
In this way, the project not only recovers an architectural heritage but also creates a meeting point for Pollença and all of Mallorca.
Gratitude and pride
In his speech, Josep A. Cifre emphasized that the organization could have chosen another, simpler and faster location, but wanted to take on this challenge because of what Can Morató represents: "It's a space with great social and heritage value. Making this possible is thanks to our clients, who are the origin and reason for Colonya's existence."
The mayor of Pollença, Martí March, played a particularly prominent role in the event. Visibly moved, he emphasized that this project is a source of "collective satisfaction and pride" and recalled that Colonya has always been closely linked to the municipality, to the point that he himself has personal memories: he took out his first loan as a young man and has always admired Guillem Cifre, the organization's founder. According to March, "Can Morató will mark a before and after for Pollença and also for Mallorca. It is a symbol of the patience and tenacity of Colonya and of this town's ability to preserve what gives it its identity."
The president of the Mallorcan Council, Llorenç Galmés, has underscored the value of recovering heritage and history, highlighting the difference Colonya makes with its decisions based on social commitment.
More than a headquarters, a symbol
The laying of the foundation stone is not only the beginning of a two-year project. Above all, it is the confirmation that Pollença is recovering an essential part of its history and transforming it into its future. Can Morató will be both memory and modernity, a symbol of perseverance and a meeting point for new generations.
For the people of Pollença and for many Mallorcans, seeing this building re-emerge is a reminder that heritage and identity can never be lost.