Mallorca Seen Anew: Photo Book 'The Magic of the Undiscovered' Shows the Island From a Different Perspective

A Photo Book, Two Covers, and Many Small Surprises

On a cool October day early in the month, a Munich-based photographer presented his latest photo book in Palma. The small Galería Pelaires filled up around 6:30 p.m. with people who had come more for the images than for the sparkling wine. Inside, the scent of espresso and freshly printed paper lingered; outside, somewhere on a side street, church bells rang — typical Palma, I thought.

Contrasts instead of postcard motifs

The book collects images that consciously depart from the usual tourist pictures. It's not about classic postcard views, but about edges, shadows, and details: fishing boats with nets in the Port d’Andratx harbor, wind-worn walls in hillside farms, narrow alleys with graffiti, but also expansive olive groves that shimmer in the evening light. Some photos are so reduced that you can almost hear the scent of salt. Others tell stories of craftsmen, festivals, and houses that do not need advertising.

What stands out: The selection of images is lovingly made, but not romanticized. There are close-ups of ceramics, rustic workshops, and quiet beach sections that feel more like hiding places than sights. The photographer describes in short captions how these places encountered him — not as a researcher, but as someone who goes for a walk and keeps his eyes open.

A pretty curiosity: two envelopes

When buying the book, buyers can choose between two covers: one with sea and horizon, the other with colorful pottery from Pòrtol. The idea arose after a small survey — surprisingly evenly split: men tended slightly more toward the sea, women preferred the ceramics. Instead of arguing, the author printed both. Practical and a bit charming, I think.

Details about the book: Hardcover, 344 pages. The price is around 87 euros (plus shipping); in some shops like Rialto Living in Palma the book costs about 98 euros. At the presentation there were signed copies, and a few visitors leafed through for a long time before deciding.

In the end, the impression remains: Mallorca can still be shown without repeating postcards. If you like island portraits that have more breath than consumerism, you'll find something here. And those who stood with coffee in the Galería and stared at the cover couldn't decide — so sometimes they simply took both.