The old historical quarters of our towns and cities always conceal fascinating secrets!
And even more so in a place like Palma de Mallorca, where Romans, Moors and Christians have left their mark on its buildings and in its narrow streets.
Stay with us as we take you on a tour through the historic city centre of Palma de Mallorca.
One of the most beautiful groups of monuments on the Mediterranean
Our tour of the historic city centre of Palma could only start in one place, the Cathedral (popularly known as La Seu), a magnificent 13th-century building that’s one of the most iconic on the Mediterranean.
This Cathedral's full name is the Palma Cathedral-Basilica of Santa Maria and it has some strong Gothic and Baroque influences. It's the only one in the world that we can see reflected in water. These days, the artificial lake in the Parc de la Mar that shimmers beneath its walls acts like a mirror. However, in the past, the sea reached right up to the foot of the walls, giving the cathedral a truly unique appearance.
The Palma Cathedral's complex of monuments is rounded off by the Almudaina Royal Palace, of Arab origin, which is currently one of the official residences of the Spanish monarchy.
This palace takes its name directly from the Arabic word for "fortress". Nearby you can visit the Arab baths - a further reminder of their presence on the island.
At the foot of La Almudaina, on the western side of Avenida Antoni Maura, is the Hort del Rei, the former orchard of the royal palace, which has now been made into a large green area open to the public.
Behind the Cathedral is the Episcopal Palace, which started construction after the creation of the Mallorcan diocese in 1238.
A few metres away, we can see the Oratory of Sant Pau, dating back to the early 15th century, and the Hospital de Sant Pere and Sant Bernat, from the year 1475, two of the most important historical buildings in the centre of Palma.
Modernist Route: following in Gaudí's footsteps
The Cathedral and the Almudaina Palace symbolise the meeting of the two predominant cultures in Palma, and also highlight the importance of modernism for the city.
In fact, inside La Seu we can see works by Gaudí and Miquel Barceló.
Palma de Mallorca embodies a very distinctive aspect of Modernisme or Art Nouveau. Even though the first Modernista buildings were in keeping with the Catalan and European trends, by the end of the 19th century a number of Mallorcan architects had developed their own style, which gave it a unique personality and made it available to the island's bourgeois.
Among the main modernist buildings you can see in the centre of Palma are the Gran Hotel, the Forn del Teatre, Can Casasayas, Can Roca, the Casa de les Mitges, Can Barceló and Can Forteza-Rey, a true architectural treasure famous for its distinctive trencadís of fragmented tiles.
On your tour of the most modernist areas of Palma de Mallorca, you mustn't miss the Paseo del Born, where you'll find the Baroque palace of Can Solleric.
At one of its far ends, in the centre of Juan Carlos I square, visitors can see the Turtle Fountain, which was built to commemorate future Queen Isabella II's swearing in as a princess.
In this area there are also several stately homes dating from the 17th and 18th centuries. Some of them, with their beautiful courtyards, have been converted into luxurious hotels and exclusive restaurants.
What else to see in the historical city centre of Palma
The Old Town of Palma isn't very big. Its epicentre is the Plaza Mayor, with its well-kept 14th-century architecture; this was where the Inquisition Tribunal offices could be found on the island.
Many of its streets and alleys are pedestrianised and can be explored on foot.
Brimming with history, culture and gastronomy, you'll find small Gothic churches and wonderful squares and interior courtyards.
There's also a wide range of shops that include antique bookshops, craft shops, and small delicatessens, as well as luxury boutiques and art galleries to satisfy even the most modern tastes.
And, if you like art, on your stroll through the historic centre of Palma you shouldn't miss a visit to Es Baluard and the Museum of Modern Spanish Art at the Joan March Foundation, an old manor house converted into an exhibition hall.
Are you planning to stay in one of our hotels in the near future? Organise your visit to the centre of Palma and discover the city's fascinating history.
