Immerse yourself in the fascinating history of Palma Cathedral – an architectural masterpiece. Let yourself be enchanted by its majestic beauty and discover why it is called the heart of Mallorca.
Island-Spot
Kathedrale La Seu
The Cathedral of Palma: Gothic splendour and living history
Join us on a journey through the halls of time in Palma Cathedral – Gothic splendor and living history create an unforgettable symphony. Discover an architectural masterpiece that reflects the soul of Mallorca and Saint Mary.
When the morning sun rises over the Bay of Palma, a spectacle of breathtaking proportions unfolds: Palma Cathedral, also known locally as “La Seu”, shines in golden light as if blessing the new day. This architectural marvel, which was founded in the 13th century and built over several centuries, is not only a testament to medieval architecture, but also a reflection of the cultural fusion of Mallorca.
Its appearance is characterised by Levantine Gothic architecture – a style that found its perfect expression here on the island. With a façade as majestic as the Tramuntana cliffs and an interior as vast as the Mediterranean itself, La Seu invites every visitor to stop and marvel.
But behind its impressive silhouette lies more than just stone grandeur. The cathedral stands on the foundations of a former mosque – a silent echo of Mallorca’s Moorish past. Its transformation after the Reconquista symbolizes a turning point in the island’s history and marks the beginning of a new era.
The interior reveals both the heart and the special feature of La Seu: the rose window. With a diameter of more than 12 meters and thousands of processed
Mosaic stones make it the largest Gothic round window in the world and transform sunlight into a kaleidoscope of colours. It is therefore not surprising that Palma Cathedral is also known as the “Cathedral of Light”.
The optical wonder, also known as the “Game of Eight”, can be admired twice a year. On February 2nd and November 11th, the first rays of sunlight of the morning at 8 a.m. catch the large rose window on the east side and paint its perfect silhouette on the wall below the western facade rosette – a heavenly figure eight is created. This phenomenon, which some believe to be a deliberate masterpiece of medieval architects, attracts visitors from all over the world every year who want to experience this magical interplay of light and architecture.
But these days are not the only ones that promise a spectacle: around the winter solstice, another light phenomenon is revealed when the sun shines through both large rosettes and creates a lively kaleidoscope. Thus, La Seu becomes the scene of a cosmic interplay in which the light dances through the more than 60 filigree stained glass windows.
But it is not only this that makes the Cathedral of Palma a place of incomparable fascination. In the early 20th century, Antoni Gaudí gave new impetus to the interior. His redesign of the choir brought a touch of modernism to the ancient walls, creating a dialogue between tradition and innovation.
The chapels around the main nave are works of art from another time – dedicated to various saints and equipped with artistic altars. Particularly noteworthy is the Chapel of Saint Sebastian, which is characterized by its silver altar.
Enter this monument full of inspiration and human creativity. Let yourself be enchanted by the Cathedral of Palma and experience for yourself why it is considered the soul of Mallorca.