La
Ciutat, as the Mallorquines call their capital, will impress
you from the moment you arrive to its port: yachts, palms,
the cathedral ... Palma creates magic, more than ever in the
early hours of the day. History and modernity melt together
with the deep blue of Mediterranean sea. Approximately 320.000
people live here, about half of the island's total population.
The city's cultural offer is impressive,
specially if you take its size into consideration, and there
is a large number of monuments you really should not miss.
The Cathedral
This is, probably, the most distinctive landmark
of Palma. The cathedral, called la Seo by the Mallorquines,
was constructed from 14th to 19th century, and the highly
creative Antoni Gaudí designed its interior in 20th
century. Results are fascinating and original at the same
time, almost impossible to describe with words.
Most outstanding are perhaps the Puerta del
Mirador, a door towards the sea created by architect Guillen
Sagrera, and, in the interior, the chapels Capilla Real and
Capilla de la Trinidad, as well as the museum with masterworks
specially of the Baroque epoch.
La Almudaina
The "Royal Palace", constructed
over the remains of the Muslim Alcazar, was the residence
of the early kings.
La Lonja
Perhaps one of the most outstanding examples
of Gothic civil architecture in all the Mediterranean area,
with a great facade and fantastic interior. It was built by
Guillem Sagrera and is used today as Museum of Arts.
Consulado del Mar
Close to "La Lonja", with an outstanding
Renaissance gallery of 17th century. Today this building is
the seat of the autonomous government.
Paseo del Borne
The heart of the historical center, and one
of the most lively streets in town. At both sides it is flanked
by narrow medieval lanes as well as elegant palaces of 19th
century. The italian influence, very characteristical for
Majorca in general, is remarkably evident here.
Between Cathedral and Plaza de Cort
Here you will find several great palaces,
as the ones of Colom, Villalonga, Oleo, Truyols, Oleza, the
Archiepiscopal Palais, the church Iglesia de San Francisco
and the Arabian Baths, one of very few remains of the Moorish
epoch at Majorca.
Plaza de Cort
Here are located the Ayuntamiento, town hall,
with its outstanding 17th century facade, and the Gothic church
Iglesia de Santa Catalina.
El Puig de San Pere
Located behind "La Lonja", this
is another old quarter of town that is well worth a visit.
Of particular interest are the church Iglesia de Santa Cruz,
of 14th century with a 13th century crypt, the Palacio de
Montenegro, Casa Weyler and Casa Belloto.
Around Plaza Mayor
La Rambla and Avenida de Jaime III are two
important shopping streets with beautiful buildings, as Casa
Berga (today the province's court of law) with its impressive
Baroque balcony. Calle del Sindicato was the seat of the medieval
committees.
Castillo de Bellver
A fortress located on top of a hill close
to the historical center, built by Peré Salvá
during the Gothic epoch. Its elegant appearance almost makes
forget that it was originally constructed to defend Majorca's
inhabitants from their enemies. In its interior there is a
museum with a valuable collection of pieces of classical antiquity.
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