The Palma Cathedral: the history of erection, interesting facts

The stylish and elegant capital of Mallorca, whose history is reflected in all the diversity of architectural monuments, enjoys incredible popularity among tourists. The fashionable Palma de Mallorca is full of ancient sights, the amazing beauty of which will make the visitors stay immortal.

The main religious structure of the city is the cathedral, erected on the Mediterranean coast. The majestic La Seu (as it is called by the people) towers over the ancient city, making an indelible impression on tourists.

History of construction

The work on erecting the building in the Gothic style dragged on for four hundred years. Local residents tell all tourists the legend of how King Jaime I, who went to conquer a Muslim island, overtook a terrible storm. Saying goodbye to life, the great warrior turned for help to the Virgin Mary. The King earnestly prayed and asked to save his life. He swore that he would build a temple on the island in honor of the savior in the event of a successful outcome.

The storm subsided, and a few months later the king celebrated his victory over the Moors. In 1230 the construction of the promised construction began.

Long work on the decoration of the temple

The Palma Cathedral, which dominates the general panorama of the bay, opened its doors in 1601, although the work on decorating the church was conducted for many years, until the beginning of the XX century. In the decoration of the temple, whose architectural style is attributed to the Spanish Gothic, it is possible to discover the influence of other European traditions.

This is especially true of the main facade. In 1851, it was badly damaged after a major earthquake. Workers not only restored the wall, but added on each side of the facade along the arch and erected peaked pinnacles in neoclassical style.

The work of Gaudi

The Palma Cathedral was rebuilt several times after the collapse of the arches. In 1904, the well-known Antonio Gaudi, invited at the request of the bishops, worked on the appearance of La Seu. The Spanish architect, whose work was often criticized, carried electricity into the Gothic structure. The dismantling of the original corridor, decorated with chandeliers and candles on the walls, caused public discontent.

Gaudi created long windows with openings and added beautiful stained glass windows. Ten years later, the work was completed.

The Kingdom of Light

The Palma Cathedral, made of calcareous sandstone, surprises with its huge dimensions. The temple, which contains about 18 thousand believers, serves as a royal burial vault: here lie the remains of two rulers of the island.

Once inside the building, you can understand why its locals call the "temple of light." Sun rays, passing through colored stained-glass windows, illuminate the spacious halls, decorated with highlights of various shades. In the real realm of light, everything is aimed at creating a special, pacifying atmosphere that gives parishioners inner strength and transforms the spiritual world.

Socket Outlets

The Palma Cathedral admires the tall openwork windows, which seem to be looking at each other. Made in the form of roses, they are encrusted with colored glass. This is the world's largest gothic window with a diameter of 12 meters.

A rose without thorns has a great mystical meaning, so one window, made in the form of this flower, is above the central entrance and symbolizes the image of the Mother of God, and the second, denoting Jesus Christ, is located above the altar.

A delightful sight

A curious spectacle takes place in the cathedral two times a year - November 11 (St. Martin's Day) and March 2 (Sfense). The sunbeam, passing through a rosette in the altar, creates for a short time an unusual projection under the window of the main entrance. Before the gaze of the amazed guests, there appears a figure eight, a symbol of eternity, shimmering with different colors.

In these two days the cathedral of Santa Maria is extremely filled with people who came to admire the delightful picture that makes one think about the greatness of man. Do not cease to marvel at the knowledge of the exact sciences of the ancient masters who created this work of art, and in fact the windows were made in 1320 and glazed almost three hundred years later.

Contemporary Art

In 2001, the authorities of the city of Palma de Mallorca invited the famous artist M. Barcelo, considered a true genius, to work on the right chapel. For six years the master created a large clay panel that tells how Jesus fed five thousand people with seafood and bread, and the central part of the work is dedicated to the Resurrection of the Son of God.

Symbol of the spiritual heritage

To the stone masterpiece, which is a symbol of spiritual heritage rising above the city walls, tourists come from all over the world every year. Believers who admire the wonderful work of art, attend services, which are accompanied by reflections from the walls and ceiling of the sounds of the giant organ. Music that affects the emotional state, and the general atmosphere of the ancient temple will remain in your memory for many years.