Visitors Information On Majorca
“What does Majorca have besides beaches?” some might ask. And if you stop to think, you will realize there is a lot to offer. The island has been inhabited since approximately 4000 B.C., and many of the monuments and cultural temples are still conserved.
Let’s take Palma, the capital of Majorca, which represents the economic and cultural centre of the island. In this city there are numerous places of interest to visit. Twenty galleries of modern art and many other museums exist. The Museum of Majorca, popularly known as “La Casa de la Gran Cristina” (house of the Great Cristina), lodges important and interesting objects from the history of the island. You can also visit archaeological discoveries of special relevance, like the constructions of the Talayot culture and the exhibitions of Arab and gothic objects. Equally interesting is the collection of weapons.
If you are looking for a beautiful panoramic view of Palma, you will find one at Bellver Castle. The “castle with precious views” is the only castle with a circular floor that is conserved in Spain. It is located half way up an overgrown hill and also has a museum.
You should also visit the cathedral, the Seu. This gothic style building is one of the four prettiest cathedrals in Europe and was one of the favourites of Antoni Gaudí. La Lonja, the gothic pearl of Palma, is an old maritime trading centre that was constructed so that retailers could congregate. Today it is used for important spectacles and artistic exhibitions. Built in 1903, the Gran Hotel is an example of modern grace and elegance (not unlike the majority of Majorca hotels). In fact, it was so much ahead of its time that it was not closed until 1975, due to aging. After a long renovation period that lasted years, it reopened as a museum of Majorcan painters from the centuries XIX and XX.
Visitors should also view the Royal Palace, the official residence of the king during his State visits and official receptions in the summer. The Palace was built in the century XIII and the Arab baths are between the patio of the king and that of the queen. The inner ward is known as the “patio de armas.”
Not exactly museums, but worth a day out from your Majorca apartments are the houses of the high bourgeoisie Dan Vivot and Can Oleza. In Can Vivot there are red marble columns and monumental stairs that provide an unforgettable atmosphere. From the historical view point, it is relevant that the felipista conspiracy in favour of the Bourbons was plotted here during the War of Succession. The Baroque Can Oleza has a lodge with columns of Ionian capitals, convex woods and reduced arcs, as well as stairs with a forged iron railing.
Another type of culture that can be enjoyed is the opera. The concerts of the symphony orchestra Ciutat de Palma or the program “a winter in Majorca “enrich the cultural life during the months of winter. In the summer, there are festivals of classic music outdoors and concerts of modern music and jazz, as well as ballet and theatre activities.
As we have seen here, Palma de Mallorca has a great deal to offer. A little culture is good for the soul, and hopefully visitors do not always go directly from their Ville a maiorca to the beach, especially with a city as beautiful as the capital of Majorca.