Government / Historical Buildings, Palma de Mallorca

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You had a good lunch, it’s "forbidden" to go to water, and you need a cool place to spend digestion time.
Well, use the shades of the narrow streets in the old town, and visit the Arab Baths. They aren’t a stunning monument nor very well recovered, but they are preserved to look as original, and they really do. It’s cheap, open all day, and they have a nice and fresh garden to rest a while.

Sa Llotja or La Lonja (Catalan/Spanish) is another beautiful building in the "Catalan Civil Gothic" style of architecture which was built between 1426 - 1448. I think the striking architecture belied its original purpose which was as a headquarters for the School or College for Merchants, rather than a Moorish castle or palace which came to my mind. The College of Merchants required such a space for their activities and tasks. Some information suggests that the building was an Exchange fish market at some point.

The Mallorcan sculptor, Guillem Sagrera, was the architect who was given the task of imagining and constructing Sa Llotja which resulted in one of the most well-known buildings in Palma. The many corner octagonal towers and windows with tracery are two of its beautiful features. There is said to be a sculpture by Claus Sluter's named the Merchant's Guardian Angel in the main facade. I did not get close enough to see this detail.

Today the building is used only for exhibitions. Open Tuesdays to Saturdays on a limited basis. Sa Llotja is also the name given to this particular area of town, and is noted for its nightlife of cafes, restaurants and bars.

it seems that the royals have palaces even on the spanish islands

if you are from Europe - you can get in free every wednesday with your passport or i.d. pass

every other day its 4.50 euros.

the palace is right by the cathedral

it will take you about 5-10 mins to have a look around - but as i have never seen other arab baths - i suppose it was worth the trip.

they have chairs in the court yard where you can chill out and have a rest after you have looked around.

entry was only 1.50 euros per person.

signage is in english, spanish and mallorcian - but they have leaflets to give out in german too - with the same information.

the baths are signed from the cathedral and are marked on most tourist maps

follow the signs for Banys Arabs

Palma's historical part of town goes back to 16th/17th century. In the maze of shaded and very narrow and beautiful streets, it can be easy to get a little lost ; )

There is that kind of spooky vibe that comes with really old buildings, a feeling of the thousands of souls that must have walked these tiny streets over bygone centuries.
It doesn't have the dark, slightly intimidating at times, feel of Barcelona old town though, it feels safe.

I am always happy when wandering this part of Palma.

Near Paseig La Rambla I found a hospital located inside of an old convet and a church nearby. The place is quiet and far from the crowded streets, ideal for ill people. There's an entrance for the church from the hospital. I noticed that I could do this pic...

Gothic building built as an exchange for merchants in the XV century by Guillem Sagrera, architect and sculptor, it is a symbol of the days when Mallorca was the centre of a flourishing maritime trade. Today this space is dedicated as a centre for art expositions.

Nearby U´ll different cafes and bars where to spend some time and off course, lot of other interesting places.

Last prison in the ancient part of city. Nowdays there is a huge one outside the city wich is considered one of the safest prisons in Spain. This old one also was a church, now it only has it's religious function. Until beginig of the 20th century here the goverment put all the thieves and swindlers that where caught by the justice. It maintains it's old atmosphere with dark small rooms and cells. Opens few times for tourist, is not consider with touristic interest. But it's worthy to see if it's opne, U'll not regret it.