Palma Cathedral (La Seu)
Catedral de Santa Maria de Palma (La Seu)
A massive Gothic cathedral standing by the sea, with one of the largest Gothic rose windows in the world. Its interior bears modern transformations by Gaudí and Miquel Barceló.
Palma Cathedral (known locally as La Seu) was built on the site of a mosque after King James I of Aragon reclaimed Mallorca from the Moors in 1229. Construction lasted nearly four hundred years, and it was largely completed in 1601. It stands beside the old sea walls and looks especially magnificent from the water. The nave is about 44 m high, one of the tallest Gothic naves in the world. The main rose window, about 13 m in diameter, is made of more than 1,200 pieces of colored glass. Between 1904 and 1914, Gaudí remodeled the interior. The wrought-iron canopy above the high altar, which resembles a crown of thorns, is his work. Contemporary artist Miquel Barceló created a sculpted clay relief in the Chapel of St. Peter, titled The Loaves and the Fishes, in an avant-garde style. On the early mornings of around 2 February and 11 November each year, sunlight passes through the east and west rose windows and forms the figure '8' of light on the walls. Admission is about €10 and includes an audio guide, and there are seasonal rooftop tours. The cathedral is closed to visitors on Sundays and religious holidays. Nearby, the Almudaina Royal Palace (one of the royal residences) and the reflecting pool at Parc de la Mar are popular photo spots. Getting there: the cathedral is within walking distance in the old town of Palma, and the A1 airport bus has a stop nearby.
Opening hours
Mon–Fri about 10:00–17:15 (extended in summer); Sat until 14:15; closed to visitors Sundays
Nearby sights
- Royal Palace of La Almudaina
- La Llotja de Palma
- Es Baluard Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art
- Mercat de l'Olivar
- Bellver Castle
- Fundació Pilar i Joan Miró a Mallorca
- Palma Aquarium
- Valldemossa