Palma de Mallorca Cathedral and Almudain Castle

Palma Cathedral (La Seu) is one of the most impressive Gothic cathedrals in Europe with an amazing history.

History of construction

It all began in 1229, when King Jaime I of Aragon conquered Mallorca from the Moors. According to legend, during a sea voyage to the island, his fleet was caught in a terrible storm, and the king swore that if he survived, he would build a majestic temple in honor of the Virgin Mary.

Construction began in 1230 on the site of a former Arab mosque. The work lasted almost 400 years – the cathedral was finally completed only in 1601! Several generations of architects and builders worked on this masterpiece.

Unique features

The cathedral is famous for a huge Gothic window-outlet with a diameter of 13.8 meters - one of the largest in the world. Twice a year, in February and November, an amazing phenomenon occurs: the rays of the rising sun pass through the eastern window and are reflected under the western one, creating the “eight” effect of light.

At the beginning of the XX century, Antonio Gaudí himself worked on the reconstruction of the interior of the cathedral, adding his characteristic elements of modernism.

Today.

The cathedral rises right by the sea to a height of 44 meters and is visible from anywhere in Palma. This is not just a tourist attraction, but also a functioning temple, a symbol of the island and its rich history.