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Cathedral · Palma, Balearic Islands
Catedral de Mallorca (La Seu)
Gothic cathedral begun in 1229 on the wall by the bay, with the large Gothic rose window, Gaudí's baldachin and Miquel Barceló's ceramic chapel.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Catedral de Mallorca (La Seu)
The Cathedral of Santa Maria of Palma, known by Majorcans as la Seu, was begun after the Christian conquest of Mallorca by James I of Aragon in 1229, on the site of the main mosque. The work extended over centuries and was finished at the beginning of the 17th century. The Gothic building stands on the old wall by the bay, and the south façade, with its buttresses, is the image of Palma seen from the sea.
The interior has three tall, narrow naves supported by slender columns, with the central nave about 44 metres high. The largest rose window, above the altar, has more than 1,200 pieces of glass and is roughly 13 metres in diameter. In the morning, the sun projects the colours of the stained glass onto the walls.
Between 1904 and 1914, Antoni Gaudí remodelled the presbytery: he removed the choir from the middle of the nave, opened windows and designed the iron baldachin suspended above the altar, in the shape of a crown. In the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament, the Majorcan artist Miquel Barceló covered the walls, between 2001 and 2006, with a large ceramic work representing the multiplication of loaves and fishes, with fish, fruit and skulls in relief.
The cathedral museum is housed in the chapter house and the sacristy, with reliquaries and Gothic paintings.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
From 1 hour to 1.5 hours.
Best time
At opening, when the morning sun shines through the rose window and the stained glass. It is closed to tourists on Sundays and has reduced hours on Saturdays; check.
How to get there
It is located on the Plaza de la Almoina, in the historic center, a 10-minute walk from the Plaza de España and the intermodal station. The tourist entrance is on the north side.
Tip
Buy the ticket online to avoid queues in high season. After the visit, go down to the Parc de la Mar, by the water, for the view of the south façade reflected in the lake.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Catedral de Mallorca (La Seu)
What did Gaudí do at Palma Cathedral?
He renovated the presbytery between 1904 and 1914, removed the choir from the center of the nave, and designed the iron baldachin over the altar.
What is the Barceló chapel?
The Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament, covered by artist Miquel Barceló with a relief ceramic of fish, fruits, and breads, made between 2001 and 2006.
Where to photograph Palma Cathedral?
From Parc de la Mar, on the bayfront, with the south façade reflected in the lake.