The beautiful cathedral of Mallorca
One of the most popular attractions of the city of Palma is the Cathedral de Santa Maria, better known as La Seu (Catalan). The magnificent cathedral of Mallorca is characterized by a rich history and culture, as well as its astonishing size and beauty, so it is one of the must-see buildings if you are on the island of Mallorca.
The interior of this Gothic cathedral, designed by Antoni Gaudí and Miquel Barceló, is particularly attractive and worth mentioning, as are the impressive views of the capital and the sea from the roof terraces.
Apart from the cathedral’s importance for the entire island, numerous places in its immediate vicinity can attract your attention that you will enjoy.
The history of the cathedral
Apart from its beauty and cultural importance, the cathedral of Mallorca also has a rich history. King Jaume I of Aragón conquered Mallorca from the Moors in 1229, after which the indigenous monarchy of Mallorca was created. A new temple was built on the site of the former mosque, which was dedicated to the service of the Virgin Mary.
Work on the temple began during the reign of King Jaume II. It lasted until the beginning of the 17th century, which is almost four centuries of construction of the magnificent building. The first architect to work on the Trinity chapel was Ponç Descoll, followed by Jaume Fabre. The Royal Chapel was built in the 14th century. Almoina’s portal and the belfry of nine bells were built at the end of the 15th century, and the main portal and the entire cathedral were completed in 1601.
The second largest Gothic cathedral
The main feature that you immediately notice if you look at this cathedral is, apart from its beauty, the impressive dimensions.
The cathedral of Mallorca is the second-largest Gothic cathedral and one of the most famous buildings in Europe, considering the fact that it took almost four centuries to complete. This monumental cathedral by the sea is also one of Spain’s most significant religious buildings.
Some interesting facts about the size of the cathedral:
- Length 110 m
- Width 33 m
- Height 44 m
The Gaudí reformation
The works of the famous Antoni Gaudí were carried out in the period from 1904 to 1915. He removed some of the details of the cathedral of Mallorca, which led to numerous criticisms. Gaudí made many changes to the cathedral’s interior; among other things, he used all the potential of the beauty of the window rosettes.
Significantly, he managed to illuminate the cathedral with electricity, of course, according to the possibilities of the time. One change worth mentioning is the large Crown of Thorns chandelier hanging from cables in the chancel.
The reform of Miquel Barceló
Miquel Barceló made another reform within the cathedral of Mallorca. He managed to restore the Chapel of Sant Pere (known as Santísimo) between 2001 and 2006, and among his works are the pulpit and the altar.
Inside the cathedral
Apart from the extraordinary beauty of the exterior, the cathedral of Mallorca boasts a unique interior that is definitely worth your visit.
The nickname ‘Cathedral of Light’
As many as 61 stained glass windows adorn the cathedral of Mallorca, giving it a colorful appearance and the honorary nickname of the Cathedral of Light. In addition, this cathedral is known for some unique, unmissable light phenomena that only happen a few times a year.
In any case, even if you are not able to visit the cathedral in the capital, then you can enjoy the beauty of the sun’s rays through its colorful windows at any time of the year because the scene is magnificent even then.
The Gothic Eye
In addition to its architecture and dimensions, the cathedral of Mallorca also boasts the largest rose window when it comes to the Gothic style.
The impressive rose window is known as the Gothic Eye and is located in the central part among other stained glass windows. It faces the east side, so every morning, it offers visitors a divine sight when the sun illuminates the entire room.
The window was constructed in 1370, and the glass is from 1599. The window has a diameter of 12.55 m and consists of as many as 1236 colorful pieces of glass that provide kaleidoscopic reflections in the cathedral’s interior.
Special light phenomena
Remarkable light phenomena occur on certain days of the year in the cathedral of Mallorca.
The name of the first phenomenon is “Light Game of the Eight”, and it is possible to attend it two days during the year, on February 2 and November 11. Then you can experience a unique light sight exactly at 8.00 a.m. The sun’s rays coming from the east fall precisely on the large rose window, which then casts an identical image on the opposite wall of the cathedral. Thousands of visitors every year enjoy the fascinating sight that looks like there are two colossal window rosettes.
There is another phenomenon that you can see about 20 days before and after the winter solstice when you can watch the sunrise through the large rosettes, and viewing this light scene is ideal from the terraces of the Baluard Museum.
The tombs of two kings of Mallorca
Kings Jaume II and Jaume III are buried in the cathedral of Mallorca, more precisely in Capella Trinidad, which is not open to the public. The museum with sacred art from various eras is located in the bell tower, and the central building has a total of 9 bells. The main and largest is the N’Aloi bell, which has a diameter of even 2 m, making it Spain’s most significant mobile bell.
Different architectural styles
The cathedral of Mallorca is characterized by its numerous architectural styles, so it is an ideal place for art lovers to visit.
Gothic style
The original cathedral of Mallorca was in the Catalan Gothic style, mixed with Renaissance elements in the 16th century. The Gothic elements facing the sea come from the 13th century.
After the earthquake of 1851, part of the building was significantly damaged, but the facade was soon restored, and the architect Juan Bautista Peyronnet worked on it. Neo-Gothic elements of high style were then introduced, so as a result, we have an intriguing hybrid compared to the original, which is undoubtedly magnificent.
European influences
The 14th century also saw a change in style, about which there are various theories. Indeed, La Seu received an influence from Barcelona, concretely added elements modeled after the Santa Maria del Mar church.
In the 17th and 18th centuries, the influences of the Baroque style took place, and they spread to the cathedral’s interior in the form of paintings and sculptures in several chapels. The baptismal font was created in the era of classicism.
A popular destination for visitors
The cathedral of Mallorca is characterized by a rich history and culture, which has been recognized by numerous tourists who have made this their favorite holiday destination. During the summer, numerous events such as exhibitions, concerts, and private and public celebrations are organized in the cathedral.
A breathtaking view
The cathedral of Mallorca is one of the most beautiful buildings in Palma and the entire island, and it is visible from almost any point in the city. An exceptional harmony characterizes the cathedral’s area, and a stunning atmosphere can be experienced at night when the cathedral is reflected in the water.
Lovely surrounding gardens
An idyllic public garden with beautiful fountains near the cathedral of Mallorca is S’Hort del Rei. This medieval garden is located right next to the Almudaina Palace, where you can see cypress, orange, and acacia trees and shady arcades. You must visit this place if you are a lover of nature and peaceful and relaxing walks.
Near the cathedral is the Parc de la Mar, which, in addition to a beautiful view of the cathedral, also offers:
- Salt lake for water activities
- Art galleries you can visit
- Several cafes
Places close to cathedral
The part of the city where the cathedral of Mallorca is located is characterized by many important places you can visit besides it, and we will present you with some of them.
Es Baluard
One of the most important museums is Es Baluard, the museum of modern and contemporary art of Mallorca. This museum is surrounded by beautiful gardens and fountains and brings together various modern regional artists. In addition to the permanent exhibition, the museum also hosts special events and exhibitions of artists worldwide.
Santa Catalina Market
The Santa Catalina market offers a unique opportunity to buy a variety of quality and locally sourced food. In particular, it should be noted that the food is always fresh because this market is located very close to the port, so you can always find fresh fish. Also, the products you can see are meat, vegetables, cheeses, fruits, wines, and pastries, but also bars where tapas are served.
D’es Portitxolet Beach
Nearby is D’es Portitxolet beach, where you can relax for the rest of the day after visiting the impressive cathedral of Mallorca.
This pleasant sandy beach is located in a small bay and is characterized by transparent and calm water, a lovely promenade, and a pleasant atmosphere. There are many restaurants and bars along the promenade where you can enjoy live music and great food and drink. If you need accommodation, right next to the beach you can find a good offer of hotels where you can spend the night.
Bellver Castle
Bellver Castle was built in the 14th century in the Gothic style and was the home to several kings. Today, the castle is one of the most popular places for holding concerts, cultural events, weddings, and other celebrations.
Nearby Monuments and Museums
In the immediate vicinity of the cathedral of Mallorca, you can visit noteworthy museums to feel the spirit of the rich culture of this island.
Palacio Real de la Almudaina
The Palacio Real de la Almudaina is a 10th-century Muslim fortress that grew into the king’s official residence for ceremonies and receptions. In the 14th century, it was rebuilt and got its present recognizable Gothic style, which happened after the Catalan conquest.
The unique elements of this fortress are the chapel of Sant Anna and the garden of S’Hort del Rei. The tour is available for a price of €4 to €7 (depending on the organization), and a guide can be rented for €4. The palace can be reached by bus.
Opening hours are from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day except Mondays, and it is also closed on May 1. There are also certain benefits, such as free entry for specific categories of people and children up to 5 years old, as well as in the case of a group tour or during holidays.
Museu de Mallorca
If you want to see the most important collections of paintings and archaeological finds in Palma, you can visit the Mallorca Museum.
The Museum of Mallorca at C/ de la Portella, 5 07012 Palma de Mallorca, was built in the 16th century and today is the house of the Counts of Aimans, known as Ca la Gran Cristiana. The traditional architecture of this landmark palace is a combination of neo-Gothic, Baroque, and Elizabethan elements. The main building features departments for fine arts and archaeology, a collection of books and documents, and administrative services.
The tour is possible every day except Monday, from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. (except for Tuesdays and Wednesdays, when the museum is open until 2 p.m.). The ticket price per person is €2.50.
Museu Fundación Juan March
The largest collection of Spanish art from the 20th century is at the Museu Fundación Juan March, at Carrer de Sant Miquel, 11, 07002 Palma. It was built in the 18th century, and its architecture is characterized by modernist elements.
Admission is free, and tours are available on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Nearby beaches
Of course, your tour of one of the largest Gothic cathedrals cannot be complete without the additional enjoyment of relaxing activities, especially if you are in the capital of one of the most beautiful holiday islands, Mallorca.
After visiting the cathedral of Mallorca, you can enjoy the nearby beaches, some of which are:
- D’es Portitxolet beach
- Beach de Can Pere Antoni
- Ciudad Jardín Beach
The spectacular views from the rooftops
Visitors to the cathedral of Mallorca can enjoy awe-inspiring views from the roof terraces of the cathedral, where they can see the bell tower, the corridor between the two towers, and the buttresses. For incredible views of Palma and the sea, you have to climb up to 280 steps as there is no lift available, but it is definitely worth the experience you will get.
If you decide on this type of tour, you need to reserve your place in time for the one-hour visit because the number of places is limited, as is the time of the visit.
Important information of interest
If you decide to visit this magnificent cathedral, you need to know some basic information about the tour options.
How to get to Cathedral
If you are in the capital, it is not difficult to get to this cathedral because it is located on the beautiful promenade of Palma de Mallorca. The address where the cathedral of Mallorca is located is Plaça de la Seu, s/n, 07001 Palma, Balearic Islands.
Numerous gardens and parks also surround the cathedral if you want to enjoy its surroundings as well. Souvenir and gift shops, as well as audio guides, are available to visitors. There is also a parking lot in front of the cathedral if you come by car.
Opening times
The cathedral of Mallorca is open to visitors from 10 a.m. to 5.15 p.m. (depending on the season) every working day, while on Saturdays, the tour is possible from 10 a.m. until 2.15. p.m. Citizens of Mallorca have free entry, while foreign visitors pay a small fee.
Mass times can vary, and one of the established times is at 9 a.m. every day, where Sundays are also an exception.
