Palma de Mallorca Balearic Islands SPAIN
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Palma de Mallorca Vacation rentals and homes
Palma
The largest of the Balearic Islands
Palma de Mallorca, known amongst Mallorcans as 'Ciutat', is the capital of the largest Balearic island, Mallorca (or Majorca). Any time of the year is a great time to explore Palma. The compact capital’s shops rival those in Barcelona or Madrid with a plentiful array of designer shops and boutiques.
The bay’s beaches are heavily developed but this elegant capital has an enviable assortment of art galleries, museums, historic castles and palaces plus an eye catching cathedral.
Founded by the RomansPalma de is situated on the south coast of the island on the Bay of Palma.
Palma de Mallorca Vacation rentals and homes
Palma Cathedral (La Seu)
Towering above the waterfront and the old sea walls the Cathedral is a spectacular symbol of the city
It is hard to imagine a church with a more spectacular setting. Commonly known as La Seu (the bishop's seat, this is, probably, the most distinctive landmark of Palma.
The cathedral was constructed from 14th to 19th century, and the highly creative Antoni Gaudí designed its interior in 20th century.
Originally built on a cliff overlooking the harbour, the cathedral still stands out from its surroundings, despite the construction of a highway that separates it from the sea.
Built on the site of an existing Arab mosque, legend has it that one night in 1229, as James I was on his way to recapture Majorca, his fleet was struck by a terrible storm. He vowed to the Virgin Mary that if he survived the storm, he would erect a church in her honor. And after the storm had blown over, finding himself safe and sound, he immediately undertook the project. It was a vow that was to take a long time to fulfill- The cathedral was finished in 1601.
Unless you are attending a service you must enter the Cathedral through the ticket office inside the old almshouse, Casa de l'Almoina. From here you pass through the museum to emerge in a side aisle beneath the main organ.
Palau de l'Almudaina
In front of the cathedral stands this Muslim castle converted into a residence for the Mallorcan monarchs at the end of the 13th century.
Like the Cathedral the Palace is best seen from the seafront. The entrance is on Carrer del Palau Reial. opposite the main facade of Palma Cathedral.
It was convected into Gothic style under Jaume II, but elements of Islamic architecture remain - like the Moorish arches seen from the seafront, lit up at night like a row of lanterns.
The courtyard, laid out in 1309 and flanked by palm trees, is at its best in late afternoon when the sun falls on the cathedral towers overhead. Just off the courtyard is the royal chapel, Capella de Santa Ana.
The Palace still occasionally used for official functions when King Juan Carlos is in town. Although the palace is used for ceremonial occasions, the King prefers to stay at Marivent, his summer palace in Cala Major.
Palau March museum
Modern sculpture, traditional nativity scenes and extravagant murals come together in an enjoyably quirky museum
The opening of the Palau March museum in 2003 caused a sensation in Palma, revealing previous unseen vistas of the Cathedral. Built in 1940, this palace was once home to Joan March, the biggest banker of the island, who was popularly known as ‘Franco’s Banker’. The museum also reflects his eclectic tastes and those of his son Bartolome March, another passionate art collector.
Although still the property of March’s family, the building is now a museum, that holds temporary exhibitions and shows permanently the collection of contemporary sculptures and also shows permanently the popular Neapolitan Nativity Scene of the XVIII century that is traditionally visited at Christmas.
Don’t miss the collection of 16th century maps and navigational charts compiled by Mallorcan cartographers.
The location of the building is as impressive as the pieces inside. Stand outside to take in the the great view over the city.
Palma de Mallorca Vacation rentals and homes
Fundacio Joan Miro
Paintings and sculptures by one of the 20th century's greatest artists are displayed in a stunning modern setting
Fundacio Joan Miro
The Catalan artist Joan Miro was heavily influenced by Mallorca and he moved permanently to the island in 1956. As a child he spent his summer holidays here with his Mallorca mother and he often spoke of the inspiration that he drew from the Mediterranean light and the changing colours of the sea and sky. In 1981 Miro donated his studio to Palma City Council, following his death, his widow donated the remainder of the land and commissioned the architect Rafael Moneo to design a museum to house Miro’s work.
The permanent collection contains more than 130 paintings and numerous sketches, but only a small number are on display at any one time.
