Planas Archive
The Casa Planas Archive is one of the most significant collections of documents for understanding the development of the tourist imagination in the Mediterranean and, in particular, in the Balearic Islands. With over three million images, it brings together photographs, negatives, postcards, posters and audiovisual material produced by the company founded by Josep Planas i Montanyà in the mid-20th century. This archive documents over a century of changes to the region, from the late 19th century to the rise of mass tourism, recording the evolution of the landscape, architecture, culture and social dynamics linked to tourism development.
Beyond its historical value, the Planas Archive is an active platform for contemporary research and creation. Housed in the former photographic processing factory — now converted into a creative centre — the archive is not limited to a heritage and conservation role, but functions as a living space from which to reinterpret and study visual memory and narratives of tourism.
The Casa Planas Foundation is promoting the wider use of the archive through the Uncovering Archive project. This is achieved through a programme that brings together culture, the local area and contemporary thought. Artists, scientists and researchers work directly with the documentary collections to develop new narratives, artistic projects and research groups.
At the same time, the archive is being safeguarded through cataloguing, conservation and digitisation projects designed to ensure its preservation and accessibility. Examples of these include publishing, exhibition and educational initiatives that broaden its social and academic impact.
Casa Planas’ public programme is delivered through guided tours of the archive known as ‘Architours’. During these tours, the archive opens its doors to the public, offering an immersive experience that allows visitors to explore the recent history of the Balearic Islands and reflect on the processes involved in shaping the tourist imagination. These tours transform the archive into a space for cultural mediation, where heritage is shared, interpreted, discussed and collectively redefined.
A participatory project
Casa Planas and Grupo Serra – Diario Última Hora are launching a joint project for the participatory identification of some photographs from the Planas Archive. One of the most significant photographic archives in Europe, with more than 3 million images depicting the transformation of the island in recent decades as a result of the company's specialization in the production of tourist postcards.
Through this digital campaign, readers contribute to the identification of a landscape that is sometimes almost unrecognizable.
Visit the Última Hora website at this link to participate and help us rediscover the archive.
Copyright management for
Photographs from the Planas Archive
The Casa Planas Foundation is responsible for the exclusive management of the rights to the Planas Archive Photographic Collection. Requests for photographs, videos, objects or information from the Casa Planas Archive Photographic Collection may be made for personal, academic, publication, exhibition or commercial purposes.
Consultations at the Planas Archive can only be carried out in person at the Foundation’s headquarters. A fee of €50 plus VAT per day applies to consultations to help cover the costs of preserving the Archive. To request information, rights and prices, write to: archivo@casaplanas.org
Consequently, anyone wishing to exercise any of these rights must first apply for the relevant authorisation (archivo@casaplanas.org) junto a este formulario (link). Failure to do so will be considered a breach of the Copyright Act and may result in legal action.
– In all cases, each application incurs a minimum charge of €300 plus VAT.
– The authorised material must be used exclusively for the purpose for which it was requested and approved.
– Likewise, it will be mandatory to correctly cite the source of the material. ©Planas Archive. All rights reserved must be included alongside the image.
