HM Jaime III

La Almudaina

by MikeAtSea

La Almudaina is a 13th century palace that was the seat of the independent kingdom of Mallorca during the reigns of Jaime II, Sancho I and Jaime III. The main aspects of the palace include the King's Palace, the Queen's Palace, the Throne Room, the Royal Chapel and the coutryards.
Today the Palace is used as the King's official residence for ceremonies during the summer months, when the Royal family is on vacation in Mallorca.

Palma Cathedral

by rcsparty

The construction of the cathedral started in 1230 by Jaime I, and was built over an Arab Mosque. Construction continued until the early 1600's. In 1851 it was damaged by an earthquake, and in 1901 Gaudi was brought in by Bishop Campins to oversee the restoration. Unfortunately, he left the project after 10 years following a disagreement, but still left his impressions throughout the cathedral. It is the resting place of both Jaime II and Jaime III. The cathedral is very impressive looking from the waterfront, but was somewhat disappointing from the inside. We enjoyed walking the surrounding area, much more then touring the cathedral.

Bellver Castle - a unique circular fortress!

by dlytle

700-year old Bellver Castle was originally positioned to warn of raiders but today it witnesses an endless profusion of cruise ships filling the harbor.

Bellver dominates the skyline of Palma, being situated on a rise above the bay. The great distinction to this castle is its circular ground plan, unique in Spain. Three large towers surround a central courtyard, connected by an arch to a freestanding keep called the Tower of Homage. The keep, which we can see from across the moat, is separated from the main body, and reached by a small passage supported by an arch. It used to be reached over a small drawbridge.

The courtyard is on 2 levels, the ground floor with semicircular arches and a flat roof and the upper level with Gothic arches and rib-vaulting. The pure white of building stones is a relatively recent development. 100 years ago the castle was stripped clean of the black soot patina that had covered it for centuries. At one point, after a 17th century outbreak of the plague, a torch had been passed along its walls to disinfect it.

Built in the 14th century by King Jaime II it was envisioned as a sort of sanitarium—he had contracted tuberculosis—where he could get well. Construction lasted roughly 40 years, the King able to spend only the last 18-months of his life there. Jaime III took up residence in the castle until he was defeated in battle in 1343AD. Then the castle was turned into a prison for his wife and children. It actually became most infamous as a prison from the 1300’s until the 1800’s. Among many others, the encyclopaedist Gaspar Melchor de Jovellanos was a prisoner for six years until April 1808. French physicist and astronomer Francois Arago found refuge in the castle in 1808. On one of the bulwarks the Liberal general Luis de Lacy was shot in 1817 for the crime of professing liberal ideas.

Bellver means beautiful view. Indeed the view of the sea and city from the castle is quite magnificent—a wonderful place of photographic opportunities with one of the best views in Palma.

Le Seu Cathedral ~ Crowning Glory of Palma

by starship

Perched on a hill rising above the Bahia de Palma, the gold limestone structure of Le Seu or Palma Cathedral may be considered the crowning glory of Palma. The Gothic-style cathedral's foundation stone was laid in 1230 and the work continued on the magnificent church for 400 years. The stone was laid on the site of what used to be the city's main mosque, and this symbolic gesture followed the expulsion of the Arabics who formerly ruled the island.

When entering from the puerto L'Almoina, the vaulted arch above the door is heavily decorated with columns, statuary, and symbology in exquisite detail. (see photo no. 1)

The Cathedral is notable for several reasons, not the least of which is the work of Antoni Gaudi. In 1904, Gaudi created the canopy as a chandelier fashioned to look as "The Crown of Thorns", which is suspended above the main altar. Over the Royal Chapel is a 14th century Rose window which is said to be one of the world's largest Gothic Church windows. (see accompanying photo no. 2 - postcard).

Le Seu's Bell Tower holds no less than 9 bells, including one which is considered famous -- "N'Eloi", 2 m. in diameter and weighs 5,700 kg.

Also, Le Seu is the resting place of of King Jaime II and Jaime III; several bishops, including Gil Sanchez Munoz, a former Bishop of Palma whose last wish was that his hat be hung over his tomb ~ the hat remains there today.

Le Seu is open Monday - Friday 10:00am to 5:30pm; Saturday 10:00am to 1:30pm

Scenes Around Palma de Majorca

by seagoingJLW

"Mostly Downtown"

Here I am downtown.

Avenida Rey Jaime III.

Avenida Rey Jaime III.

Me on Es Born

"Marina at Palam de Majorca"

These two photos show some of the private yachts that dock here.