Purchased in 1904 for the equivalent of 47 euros, the Illa d'en Colom is for sale. The price: five million pounds sterling.
Antonio Roca Várez purchased the 58 hectares of land for 7,850 pesetas. Now his eleven descendants, inheritors of the estate, have decided to sell.
Anyone who buys the island will be responsible for protecting the integrity of the island's flora and fauna. For example, the island's lizards would have to be respected and protected. Anyone buying the island will need to recognise that under Spanish law the general public has the right to gain access to the two beaches of the island, so whoever buys the island will not be allowed to make the beaches private.
The entire island falls within the natural park of S'Albufera des Grau, which of course also enjoys protection status under the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve constitution.
Joan Torres, owner of Bonnin Sanso, confirmed that the sale is being managed by an international estate agency. He also confirmed that his company would be offering support to this company.
The various descendants of the original owner live in Menorca, Barcelona and France. The island has been used for stock-rearing, agriculture and mining. The remains of an old house exist that the family used to visit in summer. A large amount of work would be needed to restore it to a habitable state.
The advertisement that has appeared in England describes the island thus: "an idyllic spot with spectacular beaches and cliffs. A perfect place to lose oneself and laze around under the Mediterranean sun".