The largest of Spain’s Balearic Islands is Mallorca (also known by the English spelling of Majorca). One of the country’s most popular tourists destinations, the island offers over seventy beaches that offer respite from the hot Mediterranean summers. The island is also home to beautiful mountains, ample opportunities for shopping, five star Mallorca hotels, a thriving nightlife and terrific food.
One of the more beautiful attractions on Mallorca is the Cathedral La Seu. Located in the island’s capital city, Palma de Mallorca, this stunning Cathedral was begun in 1229 by King James I of Aragon. The story is that the King encountered a severe storm at sea while attempting to recapture the island. He promised the Virgin Mary that if he survived the storm, he would build a church in her honor. When the storm passed, he immediately began plans for the Cathedral. La Seu was not completed until 1601, though the bell tower is still unfinished.
Designed to imitate French Gothic cathedrals, La Seu is an excellent example of the Spanish Levantino Gothic style. However, you can see the influences of French and Northern European Gothic styles as well. The cathedral is built of golden limestone and measures 121 meters in length and 55 meters wide. The unfinished bell tower rises 52 meters and holds nine bells.
The main facade of the cathedral fell during an earthquake in 1851. Miraculously, the Renaissance door designed by M. Verger survived the quake. The rest of the cathedral underwent restoration following the quake. Architect Antoni Gaudi took over the restoration in 1901. He worked for over a decade before leaving the project unfinished.
The cathedral’s interior features eight chapels on each side of the nave, including the Royal Chapel which is nearly the size of a church and the Chapel of the Holy Trinity which contains the mummified remains of James II. There are two other famous tombs in La Seu. Bishop Antonio Gallina and Clement VIII are both buried in the cathedral as is Gil Sanchez Munoz who was the last Avignonse antipope and served as Bishop of Palma. After his death in 1449, Munoz was buried with his bishop’s hat hanging over the tomb.
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