10 classic places to visit
Mallorca Cathedral
The Cathedral of Santa María of Palma de Mallorca, also known as Mallorca Cathedral, is the most important religious building on the island of Mallorca. In the Mallorcan language it is known as La Seu, and it was built in the Gothic style typical of the east of Spain on the shores of the bay of Palma. It overlooks the sea from above the Roman and Renaissance walls that protected the city, and is the only Gothic cathedral to boast this peculiarity.
Mallorca cathedral has the largest rose window in the Gothic world, and also one of the tallest naves of all European Gothic cathedrals.
Construction on the cathedral began in 1229, after the conquest of the island by the Crown of Aragon. King Jaime I decided to demolish the former grand mosque of Medina Mayurca to construct a huge church dedicated to Santa María, because when a raging storm broke out during the sea crossing to Mallorca to conquer the island, he had promised a cathedral in veneration of her if she would save them from death.
In 1346 the cathedral was consecrated by King Jaime III, although it was not built until 1601. It is still renovated and restored at regular intervals.
Plaza Almoina, s/n – Palma de Mallorca. T. (+34) 902 02 24 45.
Almudaina Palace
This imposing building of Roman origin is a modification of the Muslim fortress initiated in 1281. In 1309 it was rebuilt by King Jaime II, following the model of the Royal Palace of Perpignan. La Almudaina was where the monarchs of the kingdom of Mallorca, those of Aragon successively held their court and is now used by the King and Queen of Spain for official receptions.
Av. Antonio Maura, 24 – Palma de Mallorca. T. (+34) 971 72 73 37.
Bellver Castle
Bellver castle is a Mallorcan Gothic building located around three kilometres from the city of Palma de Mallorca. It was built in the early 14th century by order of King Jaime II. It is located on a mount that rises 112 metres above sea level, in an area surrounded by woods from where one can contemplate the city. Its main characteristics it that it is one of the few castles in Europe with a circular floor plan, and is the oldest of this kind. It houses the Museum of History of the city of Palma, and is therefore open to the public.
C. Camilo José Cela, s/n – Palma de Mallorca. T. (+34) 971 73 50 65.
La Lonja
La Lonja de Palma de Mallorca is one of Mallorca’s masterpieces of Gothic architecture. It was built by Guillem Sagrera from 1420 to 1452 and was the headquarters of the Merchants’ Association.
The inside of Sa Llotja (as it is known in the Mallorcan language) is comprised of three naves of the same height separated by six helicoid columns without capitals, and its lofty ceiling is impressive.
Nowadays it only opens up to the public for temporary art exhibitions.
C. Llotja del Mar, 2 – Palma de Mallorca.
Arab Baths
One of the few remaining specimens of Muslim architecture in Palma. The Arab Baths date back to the 10th-12th centuries and were constructed using older elements, recycling capitals from previous eras, for example (Muslim, Byzantine and Roman). This construction is integrated into the garden enclosure of what was formerly the Can Fontirroig garden.
C. de Serra, 7 – Palma de Mallorca.
Cort - Palma City Hall
The building that is now Palma de Mallorca’s City Hall, located in the emblematic Plaza de Cort, has a Baroque façade with Mannerist elements. It was built between the years 1649 and 1680 by the architects Pere Bauçá, Miquel Oliver and Bartomeu Calafat. Certain elements of the façade stand out, such as the balcony, which runs past seven windows, the Rellotge d'en Figuera (Figuera’s Clock) or the Banc del si no fos (“if it weren’t for” bench, in an allusion to the “slackers” who would spend all day sitting on it making excuses for not doing anything). The façade of the building was declared an Asset of Cultural Interest in the monuments category on 3rd June 1931. The most outstanding feature of the inside is its art gallery, in particular the gallery of illustrious men of the Kingdom of Mallorca.
Plaza Cort, 1 – Palma de Mallorca. T. (+34) 971 22 59 00.
Casal Solleric
The Casal Solleric, now one of the main contemporary art centres of Palma de Mallorca, was built by the Morell family in the mid-18th century. Inspired by Baroque architecture, it is one of the last stately homes to be raised in the city. Its design is attributed to Mallorcan architect Gaspar Palmer, whilst the wrought iron work and sculptural decorations are the work of Italian artist Antonio Soldati. Ever since 1985 it has scheduled temporary exhibitions throughout the year in its different exhibition spaces: the main floor, mezzanine, ground floor and Espai Quatre.
Passeig del Born, 27 - Palma de Mallorca. T. (+34) 971 72 20 92.
Fundación Pilar i Joan Miró
The Fundación Pilar y Joan Miró in Mallorca offers one the chance to contemplate the creative atmosphere of the brilliant artist Joan Miró by directly viewing his ateliers, where he worked from 1956 to his death in the year 1983.
These ateliers enable one to discover his work atmosphere and reconstruct his creative process by contemplating his paintings, objects and work utensils. Surrounded by Mediterranean nature, Miró's desire was for the Foundation to serve as a stimulus and reference for future generations of artists, and to promote research by specialist scholars of his work in a way that would break the usual museum patterns and make a living, dynamic centre.
C. de Saridakis, 29 – Palma de Mallorca. T. (+34) 971 70 14 20.
Bar Bosch
Ever since it opened its doors in 1936, the Bar Bosch, which takes its name from a cook of that period, has been the meeting point for numerous residents of Palma, artists and writers who come to sit either on the terrace or in the classic indoor lounge. The establishment is steeped in history, and serves up the most famous “variados”, tapas and sandwiches of Palma de Mallorca.
Pza. Rey Juan Carlos I, 6 – Palma de Mallorca. T. (+34) 971 72 11 31.
Teatre Principal
The most important theatre in Palma de Mallorca, the Teatro Principal, was inaugurated on 27th August 1667 under the name of Casa de las Comedias with capacity for 800 people. Amongst other vicissitudes the theatre has suffered over its lifespan, in 1858, after a performance of the opera Macbeth, it was completely destroyed by a fire. Since then different alterations and modifications have been made to its structure, and now it is a modern building which, whilst retaining its historical personality, adapts to current needs of the performing arts. A large number of concerts, plays and operas are staged here throughout the year.
C. De la Riera, 2 A – Palma de Mallorca. T. (+34) 971 21 97 00.
