Mallorca (Palma), Spain
Description
View cruises with Mallorca (Palma), SpainPalma is the capital city of the island of Mallorca, which is one of Spain's Balearic Islands. The city is tucked into the protected Bay of Palma, creating an impressive view from the Mediterranean Sea with its imposing Gothic Cathedral towering above the old town and remnants of medieval walls that testify to its ancient history. Mallorca has a varied history, from the Roman occupation in the 2nd century to Moorish control from the 9th to the 13th century. Later reconquered by the Spanish kings, it rose to wealth and power due to its strategic position along the seagoing trade routes between Africa and Europe.
Today, Palma is the largest city, and also the main tourist area, with beaches on either side of the city that overflow with resort hotels. If you venture beyond these environs, the island's natural beauty abounds, and life continues in a predictably underdeveloped atmosphere of simplicity. This aspect has long been an attraction for writers, painters and musicians that find inspiration here.
Two main languages are spoken on Mallorca - Castilian Spanish and the Balearic dialects of Catalan - hence the different versions of names and spellings throughout the Balearic Islands.
Points of Interest
- La Seu Cathedral
- Bellver Castle
- Spanish Village
- Valldemossa Carthusian Monastery
- Miro Museum
- Son Marroig
- Es Baluard Museum
- Puerto Andratix
More about Mallorca (Palma), Spain Points of Interest
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La Seu Cathedral -
Spain's second largest Gothic cathedral dominates Palma's waterfront. The interior of the 13th- century church boasts several features designed by Catalonia's great modernist architect, Antonio Gaudi.
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Bellver Castle -
The unusual round castle dominates Palma and its harbor. The ramparts, offer sweeping views of Palma.
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Spanish Village -
This village consists of small-scale architectural reproductions of both typical houses and famous buildings from the various regions of Spain
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Valldemossa Carthusian Monastery -
The cells where Chopin and George Sand wintered in 1842 have been converted into a small museum. The Neoclassical church boasts frescoes painted by Goya's brother-in-law.
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Miro Museum -
This typical 16th-century Mallorcan mansion once belonged to the Archduke of Austria, Luis Salvador of Hapsburg, during the late 1800's.
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Son Marroig -
This typical 16th-century Mallorcan mansion once belonged to the Archduke of Austria, Luis Salvador of Hapsburg, during the late 1800's.
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Es Baluard Museum -
This typical 16th-century Mallorcan mansion once belonged to the Archduke of Austria, Luis Salvador of Hapsburg, during the late 1800's.
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Puerto Andratix -
This village was the site of the original fishing harbor, and it is here that most of the tourist development has taken place over the last few years, however the town has retained an authentic Majorcan feel.
