The Cathedral of Palma Mallorca is one of the most impressive architectural feats in all of Spain, let alone the Balearic Islands. The island of Mallorca and the city of Palma have long histories that date back into antiquity, and the Palma Cathedral has a long and rich past intertwining with this history. Tourists who travel to Mallorca for a Mediterranean getaway of sunbathing and beach fun are sometimes surprised at the sight of the daunting Gothic construct located in front of the Old Town and rising above the Park de la Mar (Park of the Sea). When you travel to places such as Paris, London, and other older cities in Europe, you regularly see large, ornate churches. The Cathedral in Mallorca rivals many of these in terms of sheer size and beauty.

Construction of the Cathedral in Palma de Mallorca began in 1229 and did not finish until 1601. It has survived over the centuries and even the parts that were damaged from natural effects are now well restored. Legend has it that the Palma Cathedral was conceived when Jaime I was sailing a conquest mission to Mallorca when his ship was hit with a massive storm. Jaime I cried out to the Virgin Mary and promised her that, should she see them through their tempestuous trip, he would erect a church in her honor. The story says that once they safely arrived on shore, plans to erect the Cathedral of Palma Mallorca had already begun to take shape.

The sight of the Cathedral in Mallorca from a distance is really impressive and only gets more impressive as you get closer. The massive construct is built from golden limestone in the French Gothic tradition. La Seu, as it is known locally, has rows of towers and spires, an impressive (albeit unfinished) bell tower, gorgeous stained glass, entrance ways, murals, sculptures, and statues. The main church at the Cathedral in Palma Mallorca is huge and located centrally while the “Royal Chapel” is located in the rear interior of the church.

Mallorca Map

Another gorgeous feature of the Palma Cathedral is the “Mirador Portal.”. It is a massive door and doorway that is decorated by famous artists including Pedro de Moret (who sculpted the fabled “Virgin with Child”) and Juan de Valenciennes. The Cathedral in Mallorca is exquisitely decorated with priceless sculptures, paintings, and reliefs. You can spend hours exploring it and find something new around every corner. It is truly a masterpiece of architecture. If you can break away from the beaches and want to step back into Mallorca’s deep past for an afternoon, try visiting the Palma Cathedral for a memorable tour of one of Spain’s most prized cathedrals.

Much like mainland Space, the Balearic Islands (Mallorca, Minorca, Ibiza, and Formentera) have a rich history and tourists should make a point to view some of it on their journeys here. Upon first seeing the Cathedral of Palma Mallorca, you will realize that the history of Spain also touched the islands of the Balearic archipelago, and that it was not until the last 60 years or so that the islands became virtually little more than a tourist destination.