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Cultural Attractions and Events - Historic Buildings

The Palace stands opposite the Cathedral, overlooking the harbour, and although most visitors are impressed with the S'Hort des Rei Gardens that surround the Palace, many are then unfortunately disappointed to find that once inside most of the rooms and corridors actually empty. Opening hours are:
Summer:
Monday to Friday 10:00 to 18:30
Saturdays: 10:00 to 14:00
Closed Sundays
Winter:
Monday to Friday 10:00 to 14:00 and 16:00 to 18:00
Closed Saturday and Sunday

The Cathedral of Mallorca
The Cathedral of Palma, which is also known locally as La Seu, is an impressive Gothic style building that was built over a 300 hundred year period during the 14th to 17th Century. Although it has to be said that much of the facade was actually rebuilt during the 19th Century after an earthquake destroyed part of its western front.

La Seu is a landmark of the city, and as we said on our opening page it will undoubtedly be the first recognisable landmark that you see on the final approach before landing at the nearby Son Sant Joan International airport, and the sight of it from the air never ceases to take your breath away.

Tradition has it that as King and his army were sailing towards Majorca a great storm arose that threatened to sink the fleet. James is said to have prayed for the storm to pass, and vowed that if he landed safely, he would build a great Cathedral in honour of the Virgin Mary. Symbolically on New Year's Day 1230, a day after the fall of Palma, the foundation stone of the Cathedral was laid on the site of what was the city's main mosque.

The Cathedral is actually dedicated to San Sebastian, the patron saint of Palma, and contains relics and pieces of the True Cross in its treasury, also inside the Royal Chapel are the tombs of Kings James II and James III of Mallorca.

Visitors to the Cathedral enter through a small side door which, after passing through a small museum, leads to the nave looking towards what is still one of the world's largest stain glass windows containing 1,236 pieces of glass, and measuring almost 12m across.

The Cathedral is open to the public:
Weekdays 10:00 to 18:00
Saturdays 10:00 to 14:00
Closed Sundays

Contact details for more information is:
The Cathedral of Palma
Plaça Almoïna, s/n
Palma de Mallorca
Telephone: +34 971 723 130

The Arab Baths
The 10th Century Arab Baths are virtually all that now remain of the Arab city of Medina Mayurqa. Historians believe that they were probably once part of a nobleman's house as they are similar to those found in other Islamic cities of the time. Contact details for more information is:
The Arab Baths
Carrer Can Serra 7
Palma de Mallorca
Telephone: +34 971 721 549

Bellver Castle
Bellver Castle is the home of the city's History Museum, and although we have already briefly mentioned it on our Museums pages, we feel it worthy of a further mention here.

Construction of the castle began in 1309 by order of King James II, and during the last 700 years has been at times summer palace for the island's monarchy and also an impenetrable prison. The Castle remained in State ownership until 1931, when it, and the surrounding woodland, were transferred into the care of the Palma City Council. Today it exhibits are spread over two floors, with the ground floor containing the Armoury Courtyard and Museum of the City’s History. The second and main floor, then contains the San Marcos Chapel, Sala de Jovellanos, Throne Room, kitchen and the Despuig Collection of Classical Sculpture. If all this culture is becoming too much for you, the terrace does also offer visitors an unrivalled panoramic view over the city and Palma bay.

Although at some 3km from the city centre, and over 112m above sea level, for most people the very thought of walking to the castle is, to say the least, a little daunting. However, we are pleased to say that access by public transport has been made quite easy with the 3, 4, 20, 21 and 22 buses all taking visitors within a few hundred metres of the entrance. Admission into the castle is also very reasonable at 1.73€ per person, which works out at around £1.20.

The Bellver Castle is open during the summer months;
Weekdays 8:00 to 21:00
Sundays and Public Holidays in April, May, June and September: 10:00 to 19:00
Sundays and Public Holidays in July and August: 10:00 to 14:00 and 16:00 to 20:00
and during the winter:
Weekdays 8:00 to 20:
Sundays and Public Holidays October to March:: 10:00 to 17:00

Contact details for further information:
Bellver Castle
Bosc de Bellver s/n
07015
Palma de Mallorca
Telephone: +34 971 730 657
Fax: +34 971 454 373

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