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The island of Majorca (MAllorca) is known worldwide thanks to its nature, there are very beautiful coasts with some dream beaches, as well as natural oases, and interesting historical and artistic references. But the tourist attractions of Majorca are not only its beaches and its coast.
TOURIST ATTRACTIONS: THE CAPITAL OF THE ISLAND
The capital Palma de Mallorca is one of the main tourist centers of the archipelago, appreciated for its beaches, entertainment, music and nightlife. In the historic center, there are bars and pubs for all tastes. The city is also interesting from an artistic point of view, its historic center is dominated by the size of the imposing Cathedral.
CATHEDRAL
The Cathedral “La Seu”, is located in the center of the city of Palma and is considered one of the jewels of Spanish Gothic art, the main facade is neo-Gothic. Remarkable is the Portal del Mirador (or del Mar), in Gothic style (XIV century), with numerous statues of saints that are found in the niches. On the left side is the Puerta de l’Almoina in Gothic-Catalan style (15th century).
The construction of the cathedral began at the beginning of the fourteenth century on the site of the ancient mosque. The interior has three naves, vaulted (the central one reaches 44 m) with 14 octagonal pillars 21 meters high. On the sides are 16 chapels decorated with Gothic and Baroque works of art. The royal chapel was completely renovated between 1904 and 1914 by the Catalan architect Antoni Gaudì. Also noteworthy are the rose windows of the apse, the Gothic choir stalls and the Renaissance pulpit.
OTHER BUILDINGS OF INTEREST
Another extremely interesting building in Palma is the Lonja del Mar (Sa Llojta), in Gothic style (1233-1445) with towers at the corners, the interior with three naves is very beautiful. Next to the Cathedral is also the Royal Castle (Almudaina), built on the site of the Arab Alcázar, it was built starting from 1281, and was completed in 1343, in the 14th century it was the residence of the kingdom of Majorca, while today it is the summer residence of the king of Spain.
In the historic center there are also the Banys Arabs (Arab baths). At the entrance to the port is the Castillo de San Carlos small castle which houses the Museo Histórico Militar. At 3 km west of Palma de Mallorca on the top of a hill is the castillo de Bellver, a circular castle in Gothic style (XIV century) from which you have a beautiful panorama of the city.
TOURIST ATTRACTIONS: THE COASTS OF THE ISLAND
Other major tourist attractions on Majorca are found along the northeastern coast of the island. This part of the coast is characterized by a large bay where the popular holiday resorts of Can Picafort and Alcudia are located. Near Alcudia is the important Roman archaeological site of Pollentia. Puerto Pollensa is another important holiday resort located near Cap de Formentor, the northernmost point of the island. From here the wild Serra de Tramuntana runs parallel to the north-western coast. Suggestive landscapes are found along the western coast that touches Soller, Deià with the 14th century Charterhouse of Valldemosa and the beautiful village of Banalbufar.
The east coast of Majorca has many tourist attractions including over 50 bays and coves of great beauty. Cala Millor or Cala Bona are the ideal bases for discovering this region. Along the east coast full of bay and coves, near Porto Cristo, there are the Coves del Drac (Dragon Caves), where you can admire interesting limestone formations and one of the largest underground lakes in the world. In Felanitx there is the sanctuary of San Salvador (seventeenth century) placed in a panoramic position at over 500 meters above sea level.
Organized excursions to the Parque Nacional del Archipiélago de Cabrera (just over an hour by boat) leave from the port of the island of Colonia de Sant Jordi (just over an hour by boat), a marine and terrestrial park that preserves important colonies of sea birds, endemic species and one of the best preserved seabed on the Spanish coast.
The climate of Majorca.
