Sightseeing: the cathedrals and temples of Mallorca
If you are interested in culture, religion andarchitecture, be sure to visit the Cathedral, the Church of Santa Eulalia and the Basilica of San Francisco. These attractions will not only amaze you with their beauty, but also tell you a lot about the local religion and faith. The Cathedral is a unique example of Gothic architecture of the 17th century, although the first stone of the cathedral was laid back in 1231. Since the 17th century, the cathedral has been reconstructed several times, and in the 20th century it was decorated inside. The interior decoration was done by Antonio Gaudi. He not only completed the decoration inside the cathedral, but also made a special lighting system, which is truly unique and is a landmark for tourists in Palma de Mallorca. Currently, the cathedral is a must-see for tourists: the ensemble includes the cathedral museum, which houses a valuable exhibit - the Ark of the True Cross, made of metal and decorated with precious stones; There is also a museum of painting, which contains paintings by local artists, and the palace of the Moorish rulers. Undoubtedly, for lovers of painting, this is a paradise for the soul. After visiting the cathedral, you can walk through the Parc de la Mar - it is located nearby and can be seen from the windows of the cathedral. The Basilica of St. Francis is built in the Gothic style. Its central façade is decorated with an image of the Virgin Mary of the Ascension, and on the sides - St. Dominic and St. Francis. The complex includes a gallery, a church and several outbuildings. The most interesting in terms of excursions are the gallery and the sarcophagus, in which Raymond Lull, a monk and writer, is buried. Be sure to walk around the courtyard: there you can not only be alone with yourself, but also enjoy the beauty: the courtyard is buried in cypresses and lemon trees, oleanders and palms. The Church of St. Eulalia is another example of Gothic architecture. Gothic elements are present everywhere: in the execution of the church itself and the adjacent buildings, in the paintings of the 15th century. The church is also notable for the fact that it is here that the image of Christ, which Jaime I, the king-conqueror of the island, carried with him, is kept. The best way to get to the church is along Mori Street. It is very picturesque. Tourists are attracted by the local architecture, it is very original: the houses seem to have remained since the time of Jaime II, and their color is complemented by blown glass windows. It looks very fascinating and unusual.
Architectural Heritage of Palma de Mallorca
If you enjoy looking atarchitecture of the city, like to wander the streets and alleys, noting the features of the local buildings, in this case you will be interested to see the Almudaina Palace, Bellver Castle and Gran Hotel - these attractions will certainly not leave you indifferent. You can take a guided tour, or you can wander around the city on your own - this way you will see even more. Almudaina Palace This is an ancient Spanish palace. Half of this palace is the property of the royal family, the castle is guarded by the army. It is a rectangular building with towers on the sides. They are called the Tower of the Angel and the Tower of the Heads. On the Tower of the Angels there is a sculpture depicting the Archangel Gabriel. By the way, he is the patron saint of Palma de Mallorca. But the Tower of the Heads has a dark history: in the 15th century, the heads of executed criminals were hung on it so that the people could see, so that they would be with the villains. You should also definitely see the Throne Room (Tinel Hall) and the Chapel of Santa Ana. They are decorated, like many things here, in the Gothic and Romanesque styles. The chapel is decorated with images of mythical creatures, and in the hall there are fragments of Arab baths and the Royal Garden. Gran Hotel It would seem that what could be interesting in visiting a hotel, especially for a tourist? But not in the case of the Gran Hotel! After all, it was with it that a completely new "tourist" life of the entire city began. Firstly, it was the first hotel in Palma de Mallorca, which in itself is already significant. Secondly, it was with this hotel that the era of flourishing tourism in the city began: it was ready to welcome guests. Thirdly, the Gran Hotel is undoubtedly an architectural landmark of the city: the front façade of the building is decorated with ceramic sculptures and columns. Today, the Gran Hotel is the cultural center of the city, where art exhibitions are held. Bellver Castle Bellver Castle is located in a forest surrounded by pine trees. It has a very rich history. During its entire existence, the castle was used both as a royal residence and a military prison. However, now it is a historical museum, which attracts tourists. The castle is a white-stone building with rounded walls, which is typical of Spanish architecture of the 13th century. Since the castle is located on a hill, it is visible even from afar. And from its windows there is a panoramic view of the port of Palma de Mallorca and its most picturesque areas. La Granja This will also be interesting for those who are interested in the history and culture of peoples. La Granja is a 10th-century museum. It is notable for many things. Firstly, for its fabulous vegetation: it is surrounded by gardens and natural fountains. Secondly, thanks to the surroundings, the mansion shows the traditional history and culture of Mallorca. It is a mixture of simple rustic style and lush, majestic. Here you can also see items of folk crafts and creativity.
For those who want to see as much as possible
Everyone knows the situation when you want to seeas much as possible, but there is no opportunity. It does not matter - this is a material or temporary limitation. For example, such a situation often arises when a trip is planned in a certain area of the country. In Palma de Mallorca there is a unique place that is literally intended for tourists who do not have the opportunity to travel throughout Spain in one tour. Therefore, if you are one of those tourists who try to get around and see as much as possible, be sure to plan an excursion to the Spanish village. At least, you will have the feeling that you have visited the main tourist meccas of Spain. Spanish village This is truly one of the most colorful places in all of Palma de Mallorca. The thing is that when you visit the Spanish Village, you will see Cordoba, Madrid, Toledo, Granada and Barcelona, etc. at the same time. This is a huge park that contains all the culture of Spain: here you can see buildings of all the different styles that exist throughout Spain; here you can see pieces of great Spanish cities with local color; here you can see the Arab baths of the Alhambra at the same time, and you can buy souvenirs (fortunately, there are plenty of specialized shops here) or try tapas from Plaza Mayor.
Excursions for lovers of flora and fauna
For those tourists who love nature,Palma de Mallorca also offers places where you can relax, admire the beauty of the local landscapes, see unusual plants, etc. It must be said that there are about 40 nature reserves and parks, bays, waterfalls, etc. on the island, so there is plenty of room to roam in the literal sense of the word. Galatzó Nature Reserve This is a nature park where you can walk for hours: stunning nature, exotic plants, various animals, waterfalls and a sea of adventures - all this is Galatzó. Here you can just leisurely wander and enjoy the fresh air and unique nature, take pictures against the backdrop of waterfalls (and there are 30 of them), or you can immerse yourself in the world of entertainment, of which there are plenty. Here you can swim in a waterfall (so be sure to take a swimsuit) or try your hand at rock climbing, rappelling or walking on suspension bridges. Usually tourists are offered a 2-hour excursion. Undoubtedly, this is a great place for the whole family to relax, where everyone will find it interesting. Mondrago Nature Reserve This is also a park that will be interesting for those who love flora and fauna. There are many beautiful plants here, so botany lovers will get unearthly pleasure. In addition, there is an amazingly beautiful bay with crystal clear water. Therefore, if you like swimming, be sure to visit this place - there will be many impressions.
Entertainment of Palma de Mallorca
The most interesting are the oceanarium andbeaches of the city. These are the main attractions for those who love swimming. If you love nightlife and clubs, it is better to take a day and go to Ibiza. In Palma de Mallorca, you can enjoy sitting in a cafe or restaurant, in addition, the reserves also offer barbecue and other delicacies. As for entertainment, the oceanarium offers them. You can also have a great time on the beaches, in the bays and coves. It all depends on what kind of rest you want: active or relaxing. Oceanarium It is rightfully considered one of the largest in Europe. It is home to one of the richest collections of corals. It will be interesting for both adults and children. 55 aquariums and 8,000 inhabitants - all this is the Palma Aquarium. The special chic lies not only in the exhibits, but also in the interior decoration of the oceanarium itself: you need to go from gallery to gallery through glass tunnels, which creates a simply fantastic feeling that you are under water. It will also be interesting for children, because here you can feel like a diver. There are very few oceanariums that offer such an opportunity. An experienced instructor will teach and insure your child. Beaches of Palma de Mallorca The wonderful mild Mediterranean climate, the amazingly beautiful beaches, of which there are a great many, attract people from all over the world. Indeed, nature is the main attraction of the island. Tourists are attracted by crystal clear water, waterfalls, pristine beaches with white sand, cliffs and quiet bays, rocky mountains and reserves, pine forests and gardens, exotic plants and birds - all this makes Palma de Mallorca a paradise on earth. Here you can find both noisy youth beaches and quiet, secluded corners - in Palma de Mallorca you can provide a holiday for every taste. It is not without reason that the royal family in full force vacations here, and celebrities buy villas. It is known that Michael Schumacher, Boris Becker, Claudia Schiffer, Michael Douglas and many other stars of show business, sports and cinema come here.
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