Palma de Mallorca, Spain

April 12, 2017 Paul Groves



Day 97 of 111. Palma de Mallorca, Spain

We visited the Puerto de Mallorca Bullring. The architecture was interesting as well as the embellishments around doorways, etc. Apparently, there are still bullfights a couple of times a year, but the whole topic is controversial. Our guide went to see bullfights as a child with her grandfather and we could tell she felt it was an important part of her culture. In some parts of Spain, (such as Barcelona), bullfighting was made illegal. Either way, it was interesting to visit the building. We visited during the week before Easter. We found two “floats” that were going to be used for one of the daily processions through town.



The Cathedral de Mallorca, Spain

In the center of town is a huge and distinctive cathedral next to the Almudaina Palace (that appears on the flag of Mallorca). The giant rose window is visible from the outside. Once inside, the light coming through the window was throwing jewel tone lights on the floor and visitors. Two days a year, the Sun is exactly situated to project the rose window on the back wall of the church below another large circular stain glass window.


Antonio Gaudi became involved in the Cathedral de Mallorca at the request of the Bishop. Gaudi worked in Palma from 1904 to 1914 reconfiguring the layout inside the church and brightening the inside by cleaning the walls and windows (black from 600 years of candles), installing electric lights, and building a construction with lamps over the main altar. The inside of the cathedral is impressive to see.




All around the cathedral, there are chapels dedicated to a variety of saints. Each one is different and represents the different centuries. Representing the modern era, the Chapel of the Holy Sacrament was totally reformed by the Majorcan antics, Miguel Barcelo. His huge clay walls rererences the miracle of the loaves and fishes and celebrates the fish in the sea and the plants that grow in Mallorca. The black windows have white streaks that represent the roots of the Tree of Life. Not surprisingly, this installation has caused some controversy.



Bellver Castle, Mallorca, Spain

Our last stop of the tour was to a round-shaped castle on the top of the hill. The round shape is very unusual for castles and is due to the fact that this castle was built by the Templar Knights. From the top of the castle (more steps) we had a wonderful panoramic view of Palma and the harbors next to the city.