If you take a trip to Palma de Mallorca, there is absolutely no way you can miss La Seu Cathedral, both literally and figuratively. This landmark is absolutely gargantuan, towering above the rooftops and turrets of the city skyline like a mammoth space ship that just landed on the moon. Both inside and out, there’s no denying the beauty of this Gothic structure; La Seu really is a must-visit destination in Palma de Mallorca.
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Officially the Cathedral of Santa Maria of Palma, but commonly referred to as ‘La Seu’ or ‘the seat,’ the Gothic crown of Palma de Mallorca is stunning. Sitting squarely in front of the sea, one side is reflected in a tranquil pool, and the other borders the narrow alleyways of the old town. Horses clatter along the streets, pulling tourists in carriages, and on the steps to the cathedral’s main door, African street vendors sell sunglasses, bags and magnets from blankets on the floor. Inside, in fitting Roman Catholic style, the whole building is resplendent in gold. Extravagant golden halos surround the heads of saints, gold-winged cherubs watch from above, and angels play golden trumpets or cry golden tears.
The Story of La Seu
Did you know that Mallorca, the other Balearic Islands, and the Spanish region of Andalusia, were once run by the Moors? (If you’re not sure who the Moors were, the term generally refers to Muslims of North African and Arab descent, who conquered this part of Europe during the middle ages.) Mallorca was under Moorish rule from around 902 until 1229; the island became fairly prosperous over these years, however by the 1200s King Jaime I of Aragon decided he’d like to conquer the island himself.
After a three month long siege, and a whole lot of blood spilled, King Jaime and his troops were successful in their mission, and the city of Madina Mayurqa was renamed Palma de Mallorca. Of course, pals, that wasn’t the only change around here. The city was home to many mosques, and the largest of them all was the Great Mosque; these mosques were destroyed, and on the crumbled ruins of the Great Mosque, a new cathedral was placed.
The new cathedral took almost 400 years to build, and it is an absolute masterpiece. Like Barcelona’s incredible Sagrada Família, this iconic place of worship was also helped along the way by the eccentric modernist architect Antoni Gaudí. He was brought in in the early 20th century to oversee the restoration of the cathedral, and he’s also credited with the crown of thorns canopy which hangs over the altar. (‘Credited with,’ because by all accounts it was actually finished by one of his students and a colleague.)
How to visit La Seu Cathedral
La Seu is open to visitors from Monday to Friday between 10am-5.15pm, and on Saturday from 10am-2.15pm.
During winter (December to March) opening hours are slightly different: 10am-3.15pm Monday to Saturday. Double check opening times here.
It is of course possible to buy tickets on the door, and you can pay with either cash or card, however during the height of summer it might be better to book in advance, especially if you want to avoid a long wait. Book a skip-the-line ticket to dodge the queue.
If you want a more in-depth experience, book yourself onto a guided walking tour of the old town which includes skip-the-line entry to La Seu cathedral. Check prices and times.
More from this part of the world:
Why Barcelona is Better in Winter