Palma Removes Around 7,000 Graffiti – Cleanup Campaign Affects Homes and Squares

Fast, visible and often expensive: Palma's anti-graffiti wave

\n

These days, walking through Palma's old town, you notice it immediately: corners look cleaner, wall surfaces are tidier. The municipal utilities EMAYA report that since the start of the year almost 7,000 graffiti have been removed. The numbers sound dry, but in practice it means: walls, facades, signs and almost 3,000 public squares and facilities have been cleaned.

\n\n

What was removed – and why now?

\n

According to reports, mainly residential blocks on busy streets, but also pedestrian zones and small squares where residents have long expressed discontent. The campaign has two sides: for many neighbors it's a relief because entrances and façades are once again presentable. Others criticize that the cleaning is sometimes very short-notice and it's not always clear who is liable for damages.

\n\n

In the end, there's a simple rule: anyone who sprays facades or public facilities risks a fine – up to 3,000 euros in extreme cases. This is intended to deter, says city hall circles, and restore order in the urban landscape.

\n\n

Monuments and churches next

\n

The EMAYA team announced that they will soon tackle historic buildings as well. This includes several churches and the larger cultural building on the outskirts, the one many know – the Auditorium. The cleaning of historic stones is more delicate: reagents and methods must fit, traces must not remain. Specialist firms should carry out the work here.

\n\n

During a short morning stroll around 7:30 a.m. (light breeze from the sea), I spoke with a resident on the Plaça. \"It's nicer this way, but sometimes you can see the difference between the clean and the dirty spots,\" she says, shrugging. The discussion remains: cleanliness yes, but planned and fair.

\n\n

Who pays the bill?

\n

Costs for large-scale cleanups are not insignificant. The city administration emphasizes that owners can be held liable in some cases, in others the municipality covers the measures to achieve rapid improvement. Exactly when fee reimbursements or sanctions kick in is assessed individually.

\n\n

For the urban image, the removal remains a visible success. Whether the measure has a long-term effect or only strengthens the impression of order in the short term depends now on prevention and controls. More controls, stricter penalties — or more legal spaces for street art? No one has a simple answer.

\n\n

For those who want to err on the safe side: graffiti on public or private buildings remains punishable. The city advises reporting property damage immediately.