La Seu: A Timeless Icon of Palma

Join us and step into the heart of Mallorca’s spiritual and architectural heritage with a visit to La Seu, the magnificent Cathedral of Palma. A breathtaking symbol of Christian faith, power, and artistry, this Gothic masterpiece rises over the sea where a mosque once stood—its silhouette defining the city's skyline.

Originally the site of an Almohad mosque, the cathedral began its transformation after King James I of Aragonconquered Madina Mayurqa (now Palma) in 1229. The new Christian diocese was established almost immediately, and in 1230, Bishop Pere de Morella consecrated the site. The first part of the cathedral still visible today is the Chapel of the Holy Trinity, completed in 1327, designed as the royal burial site for the Monarchs of Mallorca.

Construction continued steadily for centuries. The naves and their majestic vaults were completed in the late 15th century, and the iconic bell tower was finished in 1498. During the Baroque period, the cathedral was adorned with murals, altarpieces, and a new chapterhouse—reflecting both spiritual devotion and artistic grandeur.

The famed Catalan modernist Antoni Gaudí was invited in 1903 to oversee a sweeping interior renovation. His goal was to make the liturgy more accessible to the people. Gaudí’s bold interventions included a dramatic canopy suspended over the altar; removal of Baroque and Gothic elements to highlight 13th century originals, such as the Bishop's Chair and royal tombs; reopening windows to flood the space with natural light and creation of vibrant ceramic panels with heraldic motifs. Although many of his plans were never completed, Gaudí's influence transformed the cathedral’s interior forever.

In the 21st century, La Seu once again became a canvas for artistic innovation. Between 2001 and 2006, renowned Mallorcan artist Miquel Barrel revitalised the Chapel of Sant Pere and the Holy Sacrament with a bold and controversial modern reinterpretation. His work, while initially met with debate, now stands as a striking fusion of contemporary art within a medieval space, supported by Mallorca’s bishop and celebrated globally.

La Seu’s architecture is nothing short of astonishing. It is not only rich in history and art bit it’s an architectural wonder on the UNESCO list of world heritage. Soaring 40 meters high, its central nave ranks among the tallest in the world. The pillars supporting the vaults are the slimmest relative to their height of any Gothic structure on Earth. The cathedral boasts the second-largest Gothic rose window in the world, surpassed only by Strasbourg.

Inside, you’ll discover over 110 intricately carved choir stalls, showcasing exquisite Catalan Gothic craftsmanship and a rich collection of funerary monuments, echoing centuries of Mallorca’s noble and spiritual history. La Seu is not just a cathedral, but a living museum of faith, architecture, and artistry that spans the ages. It's more than a monument. It’s the beating heart of Palma.

There is a museum shop at the exit. The Cathedral is generally considered accessible and it has barrier-free access for wheelchair users and people with reduced mobility. There is also a loo that is adapted for persons with disabilities.

Cathedral of Barcelona

Pla de la Seu, s/n, 08002 Barcelona, Spain

https://barcelonacathedral.com