Palma Cathedral, known as La Seu is certainly the most iconic building in Palma de Majorca - seen on many an ornamental plate and souvenier in British homes! It's a gothic marvel, constructed on the site of Palma's main mosque. Work began on this cathedral in 1230 almost immediately after Palma was claimed by the Christians under Jaume I. What you see took about 300 years to build, and it's big and can be seen from way out to sea. This gothic church is a marvel inside and out, and a must visit in Palma. There are three ornate entrances to the cathedral, the most spectacular of these being the 14th century Portal de Mirador. Makes sense for this entrance to be the best, as it overlooks Palma bay due south. The neo-gothic and later added on main Portal Major, or Great Door which faces the Royal Palace Almudaina is less impressive.

The interior is as much a marvel as the exterior. There are 14 octagonal pillars supporting the vault alone. The nave in this gothic cathedral is one of the highest in Europe. For the oldest part move towards the Trinity Chapel where you'll find the tombs of Jaume II and Jaume III. Unfortunately this isn't open to visitors! Gothic architecture is particularly associated with cathedrals and churchs, and was popular during the Medieval period from the 12th century onwards. The key features of gothic architecture are firstly it's size, the shear enormity of the buildings is supposed to represent the glory of God. Other notable architectural features of interest in Palma cathedral include the verticality of the structures, expanses of glass, sharp pointed spires, intricate sculptures and ribbed vaults. Feel like a small mortal in the face of the enormity of god - with the gothic it's deliberate.

It's the nave in Palma Cathedral which really melts you as you enter. It's shear height of 44 metres is breathtaking. However, it's the lighting that does it and that's down to Antonio Gaudi. Gaudi was a Catalan and extremely religious. He was the key to the redesign of Palma cathedral between 1904 and 1914. Gothic purity was his agenda here, so you'll see a striking difference between his work in Palma compared to that in Barcelona and elsewhere. There's still a bit of the 'odd' though, thank goodness, notable in the canopy in the shape of a crown with Eucharist symbols on it, which hangs over the altar. Learn more in the small museum inside the cathedral.

Open Hours

Apr, May, and Oct, Mon-Fri 10am-5:15pm; Nov-Mar, Mon-Fri 10am-3:15pm; June-Sept, Mon-Fri 10am-6:15pm. Sat year-round 10am-2:15pm

Prices admission

Free  to cathedral; museum and treasury 3.50€ ($4.55)

Transportation

Bus: 15