Palma Cathedral, known in Mallorca simply as La Seu, is the Gothic cathedral that rises above the old sea walls of Palma, next to the Almudaina royal palace. It was begun after the Christian conquest of 1229 on the site of the city's main mosque, and its interior was reshaped in the 20th and 21st centuries by two very different artists: Antoni Gaudí and Miquel Barceló.
Palma Cathedral at a glance
- Where: on the seafront at the southern edge of Palma's old town, between the Almudaina Palace and the Bishop's Palace.
- Built: from the 13th century onwards; the main west portal was completed in 1601.
- What it is today: the cathedral of the Diocese of Mallorca, a working church and the city's most visited monument.
- Inside: interventions by Antoni Gaudí (from 1904) and Miquel Barceló (2001–2006).
- Time needed: 15 minutes outside, about an hour if you go in.
From mosque to Gothic cathedral
King James I of Aragon took Madina Mayurqa, today's Palma, from its Almohad rulers in 1229 and ordered a cathedral dedicated to Saint Mary on the site of the great mosque. Building went on for centuries: the oldest parts, the chapels at the east end, date from the early 14th century, the last traces of the mosque disappeared in 1386, and the main portal on the west front was finished in 1601. The result is a tall, light church with three naves, very slender pillars and flying buttresses that make the outside look almost like a forest of stone. In the 19th century the west front was largely rebuilt in neo-Gothic style, which gave it its present pointed gable.
In 1904 the bishop brought in Antoni Gaudí to renew the interior. Gaudí moved the choir stalls from the middle of the nave to the sides of the presbytery so that the congregation could see the altar, opened up windows that had been bricked in, and hung a large wrought-iron canopy over the altar. Disputes with the authorities ended his work in 1914, unfinished. Almost a century later the Mallorcan artist Miquel Barceló covered the chapel of Sant Pere, at the end of the south aisle, with ceramic showing the Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes, with fish and fruit seeming to burst out of the walls. Both projects were controversial at the time, and both are now part of the visit.
What to look for
- The flying buttresses and pinnacles along the south side, best seen from the seafront and the Parc de la Mar below.
- The Portal del Mirador on the sea side, a richly carved Gothic doorway facing the bay.
- The great rose window above the apse, one of the largest Gothic rose windows in the world.
- Gaudí's canopy over the high altar, a crown-like structure hung with lamps.
- The tombs of the Mallorcan kings James II and James III in the Royal Chapel behind the altar, and Barceló's ceramic chapel of Sant Pere.
The Festa de la Llum: a double rose window
Twice a year, on 2 February (Candlemas) and 11 November (Saint Martin's Day), something remarkable happens just after sunrise. The low sun shines through the great rose window at the east end and projects its coloured image onto the west wall, just below the rose window opposite, so that for a few minutes the church has two rose windows, one of glass and one of light. The cathedral opens early on those mornings, and the event, known as the Festa de la Llum, draws large crowds.
Tips for your visit
- For the classic photo, walk down to the Parc de la Mar: its lake reflects the cathedral, especially in the late afternoon light.
- Go inside on a sunny morning, when light pours through the stained glass and paints coloured patches on the pillars and floor.
- Dress for a church: shoulders covered, and keep your voice down if a service is on.
- Combine the cathedral with the Almudaina Palace next door and a walk along the old sea walls.
Nearby
- Royal Palace of La Almudaina: the former Moorish fortress turned royal residence, right next to the cathedral.
- Parc de la Mar: the seafront park below the walls, with a lake, palm trees and the best views of the cathedral, a few minutes' walk.
- Arab Baths (Banys Àrabs): one of the few buildings left from Islamic Palma, with a small domed room and a garden, a short walk into the old town.
- Passeig del Born: Palma's elegant tree-lined promenade, a few minutes' walk west of the cathedral.
See Palma with World City Trail
Our Palma scavenger hunt turns the old town into a game you play on your phone. The route links 10 stops and takes around 2 hours, with about 38 minutes of walking. It includes the Sóller train station, Plaça d'Espanya and Plaça Major, and at each stop you solve a puzzle and hear a story about the city. You can play in English, German, French, Italian, Spanish or Dutch.
If you prefer a different format, there is also a self-guided walking tour of Palma and an outdoor escape game.
Play the Palma scavenger hunt →
Take the self-guided walking tour of Palma →
Play the outdoor escape game in Palma →
Facts checked in October 2026.