Bay of Palma Tourism Guide - History of Palma de Majorca

The Majorca Baths

The Majorca Baths is one of the most visited attractions in Palma de Mallorca. They didn't muck about those Christians when they invaded and conquered Majorca in the 13th Century and obliterated every possible sign of Arab/Moors architecture and settlement. One of the only traces left is the famous Majorca Baths or Banys Arabs, Arab Baths in Castilian. These Majorca baths date from the 10th century and remain the last testimony of 300 years of Moor presence on the island. Some say these Arab baths are not particularly spectacular, but they are extremely popular with visitors and continue to generate much interest historically.

The layout of the Majorca Baths are similar to Moorish baths found in other locations. There is a warm room or tepidarium adjacent to a larger caldarium or hot room. The hot room has a large orange dome on the ceiling, supported by 12 pillars. Some say not particularly spectacular, but as it's the only remaining Moorish architecture in Palma de Majorca, making this Majorca attraction particularly significant and special.

Moorish Majorca Baths, Can Serra 3, Palma de Mallorca. Tel: (971) 721549.

History of Palma de Majorca

The present position of the city of Palma is believed to have been originally occupied by a talayotic settlement closely associated with the sea. Later invaded by the Romans and then by the Arabs who named it Madina Mayurqa, Palma de Mallorca reveals evidence of those periods in monuments such as the Almudaina Palace and the Arab baths.

In 1229 Palma was conquered by King Jaime I, who founded a municipality that encompassed the whole island of Mallorca, hence its name Ciutat de Majorca. As a result of the singular layout of the city, intersected by a river, there were two urban centres "Vila de Dalt" and "Vila d'Avall" situated on either side of the river's banks.

Mallorca and the capital Palma's 20th century history revolves around tourism, which has grown considerably through the 20th century in the Balearics. In 1960 there were 500,000 visitors to the island. In 1997 no less than 16,562,090 passengers travelled through Palma Airport, with 143,000 coming to Majorca by sea. This puts the Balearic Islands in rather an advantageous position financially, as compared to other parts of Spain. The capital is reaping the benefits, with plenty of funds to develop new art galleries and so forth, combined with it's regional independent governance which channels the funds back into the islands.

Palma Cathedral

Palma Cathedral, known as La Seu is certainly the most iconic building in Palma de Majorca - seen on many an ornamental plate and souvenier in British homes! It's a gothic marvel, constructed on the site of Palma's main mosque. Work began on this cathedral in 1230 almost immediately after Palma was claimed by the Christians under Jaume I. What you see took about 300 years to build, and it's big and can be seen from way out to sea. This gothic church is a marvel inside and out, and a must visit in Palma. There are three ornate entrances to the cathedral, the most spectacular of these being the 14th century Portal de Mirador. Makes sense for this entrance to be the best, as it overlooks Palma bay due south. The neo-gothic and later added on main Portal Major, or Great Door which faces the Royal Palace Almudaina is less impressive.

The interior is as much a marvel as the exterior. There are 14 octagonal pillars supporting the vault alone. The nave in this gothic cathedral is one of the highest in Europe. For the oldest part move towards the Trinity Chapel where you'll find the tombs of Jaume II and Jaume III. Unfortunately this isn't open to visitors! Gothic architecture is particularly associated with cathedrals and churchs, and was popular during the Medieval period from the 12th century onwards. The key features of gothic architecture are firstly it's size, the shear enormity of the buildings is supposed to represent the glory of God. Other notable architectural features of interest in Palma cathedral include the verticality of the structures, expanses of glass, sharp pointed spires, intricate sculptures and ribbed vaults. Feel like a small mortal in the face of the enormity of god - with the gothic it's deliberate.

It's the nave in Palma Cathedral which really melts you as you enter. It's shear height of 44 metres is breathtaking. However, it's the lighting that does it and that's down to Antonio Gaudi. Gaudi was a Catalan and extremely religious. He was the key to the redesign of Palma cathedral between 1904 and 1914. Gothic purity was his agenda here, so you'll see a striking difference between his work in Palma compared to that in Barcelona and elsewhere. There's still a bit of the 'odd' though, thank goodness, notable in the canopy in the shape of a crown with Eucharist symbols on it, which hangs over the altar. Learn more in the small museum inside the cathedral.

Cathedral de Palma, Placa Almoina, s/n, Tel: 971 723 130

Musea de Majorca

Just near Palma's gothic cathedral is the Musea de Mallorca with an offering of mish-mash Majorca artefacts, archeological finds and various Roman and Moorish relics. It's all a bit chaotic, but there's enough Majorca gems in here to make this museum well worth a visit.

The museum was originally an elaborate mansion built in 1643 by Miguel Luis de Togores. The Count and Countess of Aiamans once lived here as well. The best work is in the imaginatively lit basement with an exhibition on the earliest settlers of the island of Mallorca. Exhibits include talayots, famous on the island. These are quadrangular or conical shaped stone structures which have been found all over Majorca. Some of the excavations in the 1960s by William Waldren are here too. The bronze statuettes of warriors dated in the 4th century BC are particularly interesting. Prehistorians have now speculated that there was settlement on Mallorca as far back as around 7200 BC.

Move upto the ground floor for the collection of Roman and Moorish artefacts including various Islamic coins and jewellery. There's a Christain floor mosaic and some Roman tombstones. For 14th century gothic painting there's ample on the first floor by the Mallorcan Primatives. There's a rather interesting portrait of Robert Graves, the English author who lived in Majorca in Deia and there are a few pieces by Juli Ramis (1909-1990) in his expressionist style. (for more work by Ramis check out the contemporary art gallery at Charterhouse, Valldemossa).

C/ Portella 5, AK22 Palma de Mallorca, Tel. (971) 717540

The Royal Palace in Palma

This Royal Palace or Palau de l'Almudaina as you see it now dates from the 14th century during the time of Jaume II. It's style is Levantine Gothic, although it has seen some major restoration more recently in the 1960s and 1970s. The site of the palace has a history that stretches way back to both Roman and Arab use. The Majorcan Baths are within the palace.

Recommended is picking up one of the audio guides on your visit, as there is little information on display as you move around the few rooms open to the public. There are two separate wings, the Kings Palace with it's great hall which is the section facing the sea with spectacular views out to Palma Bay. Then there is the Queen's Palace and some other buildings of interest notably the Royal Cellar, St Anne's Chapel, the Arab Majorca Baths and the Royal Procurator's Office. Part of the Queen's Palace to the North East side are actually closed to the public, and now used for various administrative doings!

Many of the ceilings within the palace are of great interest. Start the tour at the Paseo de Ronda corridor. Note the black and white Mudejar ceiling which was only unearthed during a restoration in 1967. Unfortunately the roof of the Great Hall collapsed in 1578! Watch out for all those portraits of Kings of Majorca in the Hall of the Kings. These paintings are by Jose Sancho de la Jordana. By far the largest chamber is the old Great Hall and there's some excellent work in here of 15th and 16th century Flemish tapestries.

Other points of interest are the Mudejar ceiling in the Queen's Study, and note the Gothic arches supporting the ceiling of the old Great Hall. Outside the gardens of Jardins de s'Hort del Rei, with fountains and so forth, are all open to the public and well worth your time for both the views and the attractive setting. You'll find many a welcome shady spot! Find Palau de l'Almudaina on C/Palau Reial s/n, Tel 971 21 41 34. Open from April-Sept 10am-5.45pm Mon-Fri, 10am-1.15pm Sat. Oct-Mar 10am-2pm, 4-6pm Mon-Fri, 10am-1.15pm Sat. Admission price is around 3 Euros, but it's free on Wednesdays!! No credit cards are accepted at this Palma attraction.

Bellver Castle

The spectacularly Gothic Bellver Castle or Castell de Bellver is located 3 km to the west from Palma's city centre and 112.6 m above sea level, so quite a strategic position which dominates Palma Bay. This marvellous circular Gothic structure dates from the beginning of the 14th century, built on the orders of Jaime II, King of Majorca. Bellver was constructed for both defense of Majorca, and as a residential base.

This Mallorcan castle has three semi-circular towers and another tower about 7 metres away. Bellver Castle circles around a central courtyard and has two levels, firstly the ground floor with round arches and flat ceilings and the upper floor with lancet arches which are covered with a cross vault in pure Gothic style. Check out the on-site museum and there are loads of leisure activities and events in and around the castle.

You might think the castle is a little over restored, giving it a somewhat toytown veneer. Nevertheless, the views from the castle are spectacular. It was used as a prison until 1915. Note the exhibition of archaeological artefacts in the museum, accompanied by some Roman sculture left to the museum by 18th century cardinal collector Antonio Despuig.

Bosc de Bellver s/n, 07015 - Palma de Mallorca, Tel (971) - 73 06 57 - 45 12 03, October to March, Weekdays: 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. Sundays and public holidays: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. April to September, Weekdays: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays and public holidays in April, May, June and September: 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. Sundays and public holidays in July and August: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. - 8 p.m. (Sundays and public holidays the Rooms and Museums are closed).

Palma de Majorca Museums and Historic Buildings

There are a selection of many other smaller museums and curios in Palma, including a museum of antique dolls with some rare 19th century dolls from France and Germany. Specialist interest perhaps, find this one alongside Palma Cathedral.