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The 6 most interesting facts about the Cathedral of Mallorca.
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The 6 most interesting facts about the Cathedral of Mallorca
March 11 2024
Culture and Gastronomy 
If you are planning to visit Mallorca , the Palma Cathedral is a must-see attraction. It stands in the center of the city and is one of the most emblematic monuments on the island. It is the most famous church in Mallorca and contains a large number of secrets. In addition, it is a very short drive from our hotels Reverence Mare in Palmanova (20 minutes) and Reverence Life in Santa Ponsa (25 minutes).
Here are 6 interesting facts about the cathedral!
1. It took more than 400 years to build
The construction of the Palm Cathedral began in the 13th century, but was not completed until the beginning of the 20th century. The Gothic-style structure is an impressive testament to the architectural skill of that era. Although it is called a cathedral, it was officially converted into a church in 1952. The cathedral is worth visiting for its stunning views and the exquisite detail of its frescoes and stained glass windows.
2. The story of a failed trick
One of the small details of the structure of Palma Cathedral actually tells a story. There is a statue of an angel with a scarf tied around its neck, dating from 1320. This statue celebrates the taking of the island from the Moors in Texas. When the Moors were trying to sneak out of the city at night, a local man surprised them as they passed by the statue and tied a scarf around its neck. That action gave him the opportunity to escape and return the city to Christian hands. The statue is a popular stop on guided tours of the cathedral and is still there today.
3. Its origins as a mosque
Palma Cathedralactually had its origins as a mosque. There was already a building built in the 9th century that was used for Islamic worship, but, of course, after the Christians took over Mallorca, they reused it as a church. Today, visitors can still see some remains of the original mosque, although most of it has been covered over and converted into various chapels. Some of the columns, as well as some elements of the Black Madonna Chapel, remain faithful to the original design.
4. Gaudí's famous work
Many famous sculptors and architects have contributed to Palma Cathedral, but one of the most prolific and well-known is Antoni Gaudí. In 1903, he began work on a redesign of the cathedral and spent hours creating a beautiful rose window, the largest in Spain. The rose window itself is a masterpiece of Byzantine art, with elaborate motifs and stained glass. It is considered one of Gaudí's greatest works, and is a must-see for anyone interested in the architecture of the period.
5. There are beautiful statues inside and out
One of the most striking features of Palma Cathedral are the numerous statues and reliefs outside. There are more than 300 sculptures, many of which date back to the 13th century. These impressive statues are unique to the cathedral and offer a beautifulconnection between history and art. Inside the cathedral, the ceiling and walls are covered in colorful and detailed frescoes, as well as numerous basin interpretations of classical motifs.
Palma Cathedral is a surprising destination for history lovers. From its Islamic roots as a mosque to its stunning sculptures and colorful stained glass windows, it is truly a work of art. If you ever have the opportunity to visit Palma, a visit to the cathedral is a must.
6. The intervention of Miquel Barceló
Miquel Barceló is one of the most prominent living Spanish artists today. Born in Felanitx, Mallorca, in 1957, he has gained international recognition for his versatility and originality in various artistic disciplines, including painting, sculpture, ceramics and installations.
Its intervention in the Cathedral of Palma was inaugurated on February 7, 2007. Since then, it has been a prominent attraction for both local visitors and tourists visiting the island of Mallorca. In it the artist used the unconventional trencadís technique, which consists of creating compositions with fragments of ceramic or tiles. This technique is most commonly associated with architect Antoni Gaudí, but Barceló adapted it to his own style in the cathedral.
One of the characteristics of his work in the Cathedral is his representation of marine elements, inspired by the Mediterranean environment of Mallorca. Thus, visitors can feel immersed under the sea through the representations of sea creatures, corals and aquatic elements on the ceiling and walls. Finally, you should know that Barceló's intervention in Palma Cathedral is one of the largest works of contemporary art in the world in a place of Christian worship. It covers an area of 300 square meters and required more than four years of work to complete.
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Here are 6 interesting facts about the cathedral!
1. It took more than 400 years to build
The construction of the Palm Cathedral began in the 13th century, but was not completed until the beginning of the 20th century. The Gothic-style structure is an impressive testament to the architectural skill of that era. Although it is called a cathedral, it was officially converted into a church in 1952. The cathedral is worth visiting for its stunning views and the exquisite detail of its frescoes and stained glass windows.
2. The story of a failed trick
One of the small details of the structure of Palma Cathedral actually tells a story. There is a statue of an angel with a scarf tied around its neck, dating from 1320. This statue celebrates the taking of the island from the Moors in Texas. When the Moors were trying to sneak out of the city at night, a local man surprised them as they passed by the statue and tied a scarf around its neck. That action gave him the opportunity to escape and return the city to Christian hands. The statue is a popular stop on guided tours of the cathedral and is still there today.
3. Its origins as a mosque
Palma Cathedralactually had its origins as a mosque. There was already a building built in the 9th century that was used for Islamic worship, but, of course, after the Christians took over Mallorca, they reused it as a church. Today, visitors can still see some remains of the original mosque, although most of it has been covered over and converted into various chapels. Some of the columns, as well as some elements of the Black Madonna Chapel, remain faithful to the original design.
4. Gaudí's famous work
Many famous sculptors and architects have contributed to Palma Cathedral, but one of the most prolific and well-known is Antoni Gaudí. In 1903, he began work on a redesign of the cathedral and spent hours creating a beautiful rose window, the largest in Spain. The rose window itself is a masterpiece of Byzantine art, with elaborate motifs and stained glass. It is considered one of Gaudí's greatest works, and is a must-see for anyone interested in the architecture of the period.
5. There are beautiful statues inside and out
One of the most striking features of Palma Cathedral are the numerous statues and reliefs outside. There are more than 300 sculptures, many of which date back to the 13th century. These impressive statues are unique to the cathedral and offer a beautifulconnection between history and art. Inside the cathedral, the ceiling and walls are covered in colorful and detailed frescoes, as well as numerous basin interpretations of classical motifs.
Palma Cathedral is a surprising destination for history lovers. From its Islamic roots as a mosque to its stunning sculptures and colorful stained glass windows, it is truly a work of art. If you ever have the opportunity to visit Palma, a visit to the cathedral is a must.
6. The intervention of Miquel Barceló
Miquel Barceló is one of the most prominent living Spanish artists today. Born in Felanitx, Mallorca, in 1957, he has gained international recognition for his versatility and originality in various artistic disciplines, including painting, sculpture, ceramics and installations.
Its intervention in the Cathedral of Palma was inaugurated on February 7, 2007. Since then, it has been a prominent attraction for both local visitors and tourists visiting the island of Mallorca. In it the artist used the unconventional trencadís technique, which consists of creating compositions with fragments of ceramic or tiles. This technique is most commonly associated with architect Antoni Gaudí, but Barceló adapted it to his own style in the cathedral.
One of the characteristics of his work in the Cathedral is his representation of marine elements, inspired by the Mediterranean environment of Mallorca. Thus, visitors can feel immersed under the sea through the representations of sea creatures, corals and aquatic elements on the ceiling and walls. Finally, you should know that Barceló's intervention in Palma Cathedral is one of the largest works of contemporary art in the world in a place of Christian worship. It covers an area of 300 square meters and required more than four years of work to complete.
