| Castillo de Bellver tips and photos posted by real travelers and Palma de Mallorca locals. • 31 Photos
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You will enjoy a wonderfull view from the top of the hill where this castle is located, 137 mt above the sea level.
It is hard to believe that this castle has been standing for almost 700 years. Begun by Jaume II in 1300 and built by Pere Salva, the architect of the Almudaina Palace, it is unique among European castles in being entirely round. For many centuries the castle was used as a prison. These days it contains Palma's museum of municipal history.
The entrance fee in the museum is 4 euros for tourists and 2 euros for locals. On holydays and weekends the entrence is free. It's worthy to visit the museum, it has all the history of the city within it's walls. Leave a Comment Directions: Some three km from the centre of the city of Palma at some 112.60 metres above sea level.
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Sailing into the Bahia de Palma, one of the first sights we saw was Castillo de Bellver, meaning "lovely view" in Catalan. We thought it was an ancient castle or fort, but it's name and history were unknown to us at the time. Unfortunately we never had time to visit it, but it is a sight definitely worth mentioning for those planning a visit to Mallorca.
The uniquely round castle was commissioned by Jamie II (Jaume II) in 1300, and built by architect Pere Salva who also was the architect of Almudaina Palace as history has it. The construction took 40 years. Though built as a fortress and summer home for the Kings of Mallorca, for many centuries the castle was used as a prison for famous political prisoners, such as encyclopaedist Gaspar Melchor de Jovellanos, French physicist/astronomer, Francois Arago, and General Luis de Lacy.
The widow and son of King Jaime III were imprisoned in the Castle as well. Bellver was last used as a prison in 1915. King Jaime II die there of tuberculosis.
Two round and two square towers connect to a large round circular structure forming a central courtyard. The inside of the large round structure is unusual for its two levels of columns supporting Gothic arches on the first level and perhaps Romanesque archs on the second.
Today, the castle is a museum which contains Roman, Spanish and Arab artifacts and traces the historical development of the city. Many of the items in the museum are said to have been donated by Cardinal Despuig (where have I heard that name before??). The castle sits on a hill from which marvelous views of the Bay, Marina and old, historic buildings of Palma can be seen.
Admission to Bellver Castle is 2 Euros for adults; 1 Euro for students; Children 12 and under are free.
The Castle is roughly a mile and a half from the old center of Palma and can be reached by car, taxi or bus. If by bus, use the Placa Gomila stop. Leave a Comment Directions: Some three km from the centre of the city of Palma at some 112.60 metres above sea level.
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The Bellver Castle is situated on a hill, at about 3 km. from the centre of Palma de Mallorca. The construction started in 1300 by the orders of James (Jaime) II, King of Mallorca. It took nine years to build the basic structure, the ornamentation was finished more slowly.
The castle was built as a royal residence. In the late 14th century, John I and Violet of Aragon stayed there with their court for three months. The castle has also entertained other European royalty, such as Charles I of England, John of Austria, the Duke of Monpensier and the present British Monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, as well as members of the Spanish Royal family including the present monarchs King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia.
In 1717, the castle became a military prison. Between 1802 and 1808, Gaspar Melchor de Jovellanos, Minister of the Treasury, Patronage and Justice in the reign of Carlos IV, was imprisoned in one of the rooms on the first floor. The castle also acted as a prison for numerous French officers and soldiers defeated in the Battle of Bailen .
In 1817 General Lacy, leader of a failed liberal rebellion, faced a firing squad and in 1821 the castle was temporarily used as a mint.
The building is circular in layout with three semicircular buttressed towers, and a single tower, some seven meters from the body of the castle. The construction is arranged around a central courtyard. The first level is constructed using semicircular arches surmounted with flat roofs and the second, upper level has Gothic arches and ribbed gothic vaults. Leave a Comment
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 by NunoFLeave a Comment Directions: Some three km from the centre of the city of Palma at some 112.60 metres above sea level.
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El Castillo de Bellver is a main attraction in Palma de Mallorca for those interested in the history of the island. It is relatively easy to find and once inside it reminds you more of a sturdy fortress than a castle. Don't expect an extravagant decorum as it is mostly unfurnished and made of stone. My favorite spots in the castle were the windows in the various towers were one could look out on the view of the city. Cost to enter was a couple euro. Leave a Comment Directions: Some three km from the centre of the city of Palma at some 112.60 metres above sea level.
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 The Castle viewd from Paseo
Maritimo, Palma. by Tricky_Dicky69
The castle was used as a prison for many centuries but now houses Palma's museum of municipal history. The entrance fee to the museum is 4 euros for tourists and 2 euros for locals during the week but is free week-ends and public holidays. Leave a Comment Directions: Some three km from the centre of the city of Palma at some 112.60 metres above sea level.
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 by erikute3534Leave a Comment Directions: Some three km from the centre of the city of Palma at some 112.60 metres above sea level.
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 by Manuel_Cano
Its construction started in 1300 by the orders of James II, King of Mallorca. It took nine years to build the basic structure, the ornamentation was finished more slowly. The work force consisted of Seventy permanent artisans and a large number of the king's slaves as well as local women.
The castle was built as a royal residence. In the late 14th century, John I and Violet of Aragon stayed there with their court for three months. The castle has also entertained other European royalty, such as Charles I of England, the Prince of Saboya, John of Austria, the Duke of Monpensier and the present British Monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, as well as members of the Spanish Royal family including the present monarchs King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia. Leave a Comment Directions: Bellver Castle is to be found some three kilometres from the centre of PalmaOther Contact: http://mallorca.balearics.com/be
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luckily for us the cleaner was going about her duties whilst we were there and told us quite a bit about the castle (including stories about people being locked in for the night at closing time)
it cost 2 euros per person to get in - and we had views of palma and beyond.
you can get into most areas of the castle (but not the tower) and there are little exhibitions in some parts.
some signage is onlly in mallorcian. Leave a Comment Directions: Take the number 3 or 6 bus to get there and climb up the staircase to the top. itīs pretty well signed. you can take the tourist bus (costs about 12 euros per person for the day and tickets last 24 hours) and it will drop you off here
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the Bellver castle,Convento de San Franciscus,Palacio Vivot,Cuevas del Drach Leave a Comment
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