The Términus building will host a new session of the railway heritage lecture series organised by Serveis Ferroviaris de Mallorca (SFM) on March 17 at 6:00 p.m. The initiative, launched in December, aims to bring the public closer to the history and cultural legacy of Mallorca’s railway network.

The upcoming talk will focus on the former Palma–Santanyí railway line, a transport route that once played an important role in the mobility and economic development of several towns in the southern part of the island.

The lecture, titled “The Palma–Santanyí Railway: Chronicle of a Reunion,” will be delivered by Miquel Rigo, secretary of the Association of Friends of the Railway, trustee of the Ferrocaib Foundation and an active train driver at SFM. Rigo is widely recognised for his work in promoting and preserving Mallorca’s railway heritage.

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Lecture at the Términus will explore the history of the former Palma–Santanyí railway line

The presentation will review the historical development of the line from its creation to its eventual closure. The Palma–Santanyí railway was inaugurated in 1917, during a period when the island’s railway system was expanding. The route extended for approximately 62 kilometres, including seven stations and several small stops, and contributed for decades to the economic and social activity of the communities it connected.

The lecture will also examine the circumstances that led to the decline of the line. The economic difficulties experienced by the Ferrocarriles de Mallorca during the 1950s significantly reduced operations, ultimately resulting in the closure of the railway in 1964. Following the suspension of service, the railway infrastructure was dismantled, and the land associated with the route was later auctioned.

In addition to outlining the historical background of the line, the conference will explore the original railway route, its stations and several architectural elements linked to the infrastructure. The session will include a selection of historical photographs to illustrate this period of Mallorca’s railway history and to reflect on future possibilities for the preservation and promotion of this heritage.

The lecture series organized by SFM will continue throughout 2026 with additional events dedicated to different aspects of the island’s railway past. Upcoming sessions include “Mallorca on Rails: Railway and Economic Growth (1875-1975)” scheduled for April 15, and “The Mule Tram of Palma (1891-1916)”, planned for May 12.