1907, The birth of the myth

Josep Nicolau Balaguer was born in a modest and farming family on February 8th, 1907, in the village of Lloret de Vistalegre. In the historical period known as the Restoration, society was characterised by illiteracy and tyranny.

March 5th, 1901, Lloret de Vistalegre
Josep Nicolau, el Canó de Llorito
March 5th, 1901, Lloret de Vistalegre

The Nicolau Balaguer family in Lloret de Vistalegre

Josep Nicolau was born in a humble family, halfway between Montuïri and Lloret. According to the researcher Francesc Canuto in his study on the Nicolau «Calussa» family (19th-20th Centuries), Joan Nicolau Munar Calussa, his father, was born in Son Fornés (Montuïri). After some years he got married to Aina Balaguer, from Lloret. In 1901 four brothers and two sisters registered along with them at their home: Rafel, Miquel, Toni, Joan, Rafela and Maria.

February 8th, 1907, Lloret de Vistalegre
Josep Nicolau, el Canó de Llorito
February 8th, 1907, Lloret de Vistalegre

Josep Nicolau Balaguer is born

It is the birth date of Josep Nicolau i Balaguer and Pere Nicolau Balaguer, Calussa. Both are born at 3:00am in Main Street number 22. 22. They are legitimate sons of Joan Nicolau Munar and Antònia Anna Balaguer Picornell.

11 d'octubre de 1914, Lloret de Vistalegre
11 d'octubre de 1914, Lloret de Vistalegre

Pere Nicolau Balaguer dies

Tragedy hits the Nicolau Balaguer family. Pere, Josep’s twin brother, dies at the age of 7. We must consider that the mortality rate was considerably high at the time. This is an event which scars Josep Nicolau’s life.

<br> January 1st, 1925, Lloret de Vistalegre
Josep Nicolau, el Canó de Llorito
<br> January 1st, 1925, Lloret de Vistalegre

Lloret de Vistalegre becomes independent

Lloret de Vistalegre becomes an independent village after officially splitting from Sineu. Although there were several attempts to prevent it, the citizens of Lloret see how their yearning for local self-government finally becomes a reality.