The Balearic Islands are located off the east coast of Spain. The largest of them is called Mallorca, and its capital, Palma de Mallorca, is known as a popular beach resort. The history of the island, like that of the entire Mediterranean region, is very dramatic. Before the new era, it belonged to the Phoenicians and was part of the state of Carthage. Then Majorca was chosen by the pirates expelled by the Romans. Vandals and Arab nomads walked the long-suffering island, it was conquered by Byzantium and the Cordoba Caliphate. The islanders fought against plague, Muslim invasions, Pisa and Catalan invaders, until in 1716 the Balearic archipelago became part of Spain as a province. All stages of history can be traced during excursions around the island. When asked what to see in Palma de Mallorca, the locals, who are in love with their city and the land where they were born and raised, will be happy to answer you.
TOP 10 attractions in Palma de Mallorca
Almudaina Palace
Palazzo de la Almudaina in Palma traces its history back to the days of the Roman Empire. Then on this place there was a grandiose building, the foundation of which was used by the Arab conquerors to build their own palace.
The appearance of the building clearly traces the features of the Moorish architectural style and traces of later design interventions, which resulted in the figure of the Archangel Gabriel on the facade and the Chapel of St. Anne, built in the Royal courtyard of the palace in the 14th century.
The perimeter is fortified with four watchtowers, which underlines the purpose of the building as a defensive structure. One of them is called the Tower of Heads: the severed heads of decapitated criminals were exhibited on it. The palazzo's throne room displays the luxury of medieval royal courts. By the way, the Almudaina Palace, being the oldest in Spain, and today remains the residence of the royal family, who find themselves in Mallorca for personal or royal needs.
Palma Cathedral
Mallorca Cathedral is called a magnificent example of the Gothic style. Its construction began shortly after the liberation of the island from the Moorish conquerors in 1230. But, as is often the case with the Spaniards, the work was somewhat delayed and the finishing touches were applied by the sensitive hand of the magnificent Gaudi at the beginning of the twentieth century.
Interesting facts from the history of the cathedral, its size and other details will impress fans of architectural landmarks:
- La Seu was founded on the ruins of a mosque.
- The main construction was completed in 1587, but then, for another 350 years, the temple was completed and altered.
- The dimensions of the cathedral are 110x33 m.
- The main chapel of the temple is 75.5 m long and 19.5 m wide. It is decorated with 14 columns of 30 meters height.
- The area of the window, made in the form of a classic Gothic rosette, is about 100 sq. m. The window was glazed in 1599.
- The large organ of the cathedral was created by the master Gabriel Thomas at the end of the 18th century.
Later architectural structures in the complex of the Cathedral of Palma de Mallorca are made in the Baroque and Renaissance styles. You can look at the murals in the chapels of Corpus Christi and Saints Martin, Benedict and Sebastian. The panel in the All Saints Chapel was completed quite recently. The author is the famous Spanish painter Miguel Barcelo.
Bellver Castle
The Spanish kings knew a lot about pleasure and built luxurious palaces. The summer residence of Jaime II, who inherited the title of King of Mallorca after his father's death, is one of the most famous landmarks in Palma. The architect Pere Salve received the order to build the Bellver Castle in 1300. Work was in full swing, and 10 years later, the main part of the palace was ready. The project was based on Herodium, a fortress on the western bank of the Jordan.
Bellver Castle, round on the plan, is fortified by four towers, the main of which faces north. The diameter of the citadel is 50 m. A gallery, consisting of two tiers, runs along the entire perimeter. The arches on the first floor are formed by 21 columns, on the second one can count twice as many.
During its existence, the fortress, as usual, served different purposes: it acted as a royal residence, was a prison for political prisoners, helped to hide from rebellious peasants, saved from the outbreak of the plague, and, finally, was turned into a museum.
Today, the Bellver Castle houses an exhibition dedicated to the history of Palma. The inner circular courtyard hosts entertainment events, the most famous of which is the annual classical music festival.
Dragon caves
They say that the untold treasures of pirates and Templars are hidden in the Dragon Caves, and therefore they began to explore the dungeons several centuries ago. It was not possible to find the treasures, but the treasure hunters were able to make maps of the caves. This is how the first excursion routes appeared, and over time, the Dragon Caves became one of the most interesting sights of Palma and the entire island.
Symphony concerts are especially attractive for guests, the stage for which is underground lakes. Musicians play in boats sailing along the illuminated water surface.
Luke Monastery
The spiritual center of Mallorca, the Lluca monastery annually receives up to a million pilgrims who come to worship the image of the Black Madonna - the Virgin of Lluca. Locals consider her to be the patroness of the island. The Mother of God is honored annually with a special procession, which begins on the night of the first Saturday in August. Thousands of people travel from Palma de Mallorca to the Monastery of Luc to worship the statue of the Black Madonna, miraculously found in the mountains of the island in 1229. A chapel was built on the site of the discovery, and a little later a monastery was founded.
Palm Aquarium
As befits a seaside resort, Palma de Mallorca strives to tell guests about the sea and its inhabitants in as much detail as possible. For this, an aquarium was built on the island, which for several years in a row was awarded the title of one of the best in the Old World.
Record numbers and facts impress every fan of the underwater world:
- The complex has 55 thematic aquariums, where representatives of 700 species are collected.
- During the four-hour excursion, visitors get acquainted with five thematic sections.
- The Palma Shark Aquarium is the deepest in Europe. Toothy predators swim along the sides of a glass tunnel through which spectators pass.
- Half of the area is occupied by the Mediterranean zone, the rest of the aquariums are inhabited by the inhabitants of the three largest oceans of the planet.
The open aquarium, where you can touch some of the inhabitants of the sea, is especially delightful for young visitors.
Valldemosa
A few kilometers north of Palma, you will find the small town of Valldemossu, which retains its distinctive medieval charm. The sights of Valldemoza are a good reason to get out of Palma de Mallorca and devote the whole day to walking along the narrow streets and acquaintance with the architectural masterpieces left over from bygone eras.
First of all, tourists go to the Carthusian Monastery, where Frederic Chopin and Georges Sand once lived, who fled from a great civilization in order to enjoy each other's company. Do not forget to visit the Church of St. Bartholomew, built at a time when the Baroque style was triumphant around the world.
Capdepera Castle
Every third weekend in May, Mallorca hosts a picturesque festival of medieval culture. Its participants leave for a couple of days in the XIV century. The inhabitants of the island put on a colorful show with disguises, recreations of knightly tournaments and noble balls, and the epicenter of all the festivities is a castle in the north of Mallorca. Tourists from Palma are happy to move to the town of Capdepera at this time, especially since the medieval castle is a local celebrity and landmark.
It was built in the XIV century. for defense from the enemy and sea robbers who hunted in the waters here. Today, the Castle Museum is open on the territory of the fortress, and on the top of the hill there is the former church of St. John the Baptist, and now the temple of Nostra Senora de l'Esperanza. The observation deck on the roof of the church offers picturesque views of the surroundings of Capdepera.
Spanish village
Getting to know all of Spain at once, once on the Balearics, you can visit the Poble Espanyol Ethnographic Museum in Palma de Mallorca. In the Spanish Village, you can see houses and palaces, temples and ancient castles, recreated with photographic accuracy from the originals. The museum will help trace the evolution of architectural styles in Spain.
Several streets of the Spanish Village recreate the authentic atmosphere of Toledo and Cordoba, Madrid and Seville. You will find on them the Church of St. Anthony, as in Madrid, the bell tower of the Church of St. Catalina, as in Valencia, and the house of El Greco, who glorified his homeland, as in Toledo. Bridges and towers, fountains and arches, even the gates to the museum are made in the Spanish architectural style, bringing together the features of Arab and European cultures of different eras.
On the territory of the Spanish Village, there are restaurants with a typical menu from different provinces of the country and souvenir shops where you can buy gifts for friends.
Cape Formentor
The northernmost point of the island, Cape Formentor is famous for its picturesque landscapes and a small sandy beach, above which a high cliff soars. Merging with the sky on the horizon, the sea in the Formentor region looks especially blue.
At the top of the cliff there is an old lighthouse, from the 19th century. indicating a safe route for ships that pass along the northern coast of Mallorca. Despite its venerable age, the lighthouse continues to work, and its photo is often found in tourist brochures about the sights of Mallorca.
