There´s much more to Mallorca than just beautiful beaches, great scenery and wonderful weather alone. As the largest of the Balearics is home to a wealth of visitor attractions. Boasting a rich cultural heritage and a whole host of things to do and see.
So if you have booked one of our villas in Mallorca make sure you take the time to get out and explore.
Palma – the islands capital – is home to many of these riches. Most notably the Cathedral of Palma. Which was constructed in the 14th century on the site of a former Arab mosque. As the Moors were finally forced out of Spain and the islands.
The Cathedral is known as Le Seu in the local Catalan dialect and is the most important and impressive piece of architecture on the island. Legend has it that when Jaume I – the island liberator – set sail for Mallorca in 1229 his fleet was beset by a massive storm. So he prayed for safe passage – promising to build a temple to the Virgin Mary in return. His prayers were answered and his promise bought to life. With the choice of site designed to ram home the victory of the Christian forces over the Muslims.
Construction on the new cathedral commenced in1300 under the aegis of Jaime II – the liberator’s son. With the help of his architect Pere Mates – who created the distinctive three aisle design and built the main structure with locally sourced Mallorcan sandstone. With work continuing for over two centuries until the cathedral was finally completed in the 1600´s. Although ongoing alterations continued to change and shape the building over the coming years.
The most controversial of these new additions and modifications were carried out by the famous Catalan architect Antonio Gaudi. When he was engaged by the then Bishop of Mallorca. Who decided that the interior of the cathedral required some modernisation in order to ensure its ongoing appeal in contemporary society.
Gaudi worked on the project for 13 years. Recovering the nave and The Royal Chapel and introducing more stained glass windows to lighten the interior. Before suddenly and mysteriously downing tools and deciding that he’d had enough. With experts postulating that he was apparently sorely stung by criticism of his work by locals. Leaving the Bishop at his wits end – before one of Guadi’s apprentices took up the cudgels and finally completed the work.
Today the Cathedral stands 44 metres high and has a footprint around 7000 square metres. Boasting three separate entrance facades, impressive arches and some fantastic sculptures.
