Mallorca (Palma) Cathedral: Tickets

Mallorca Cathedral FAQ’s

• Can I book tickets in advance for Mallorca Cathedral?
• Yes and we strongly recommend doing so! Mallorca Cathedral is one of the island's busiest tourist attractions, so it gets very busy. Booking tickets in advance means you can avoid the queues and guarantee your tickets.
• What are the clothing requirements for Mallorca Cathedral?
• Just remember to dress appropriately - please remember it’s a religious building, so no see-through clothing. No tank tops allowed. Cover your shoulders. No swimwear allowed.
• Does Mallorca Cathedral have space to leave bags and luggage?
• No, Mallorca Cathedral does not have storage lockers available.
• What is the official name of Mallorca Cathedral?
• The official name is ‘Cathedral of Santa Maria of Palma’, but it is commonly known as La Seu, or Mallorca Cathedral!
• Where is Mallorca Cathedral?
• The Cathedral is in Palma de Mallorca, which is the capital.
• When was Mallorca Cathedral built?
• Construction began in 1229 and was completed in 1601, although work continued on details afterward.
• What is the architectural style of Mallorca Cathedral?
• It is primarily Gothic but it does also have some Renaissance and Modernist (Catalan Art Nouveau) elements.
• Who ordered the construction of Mallorca Cathedral?
• King James I of Aragon built it in honour of the Virgin Mary after surviving a storm at sea!
• What is unique about Mallorca Cathedral’s location?
• It’s one of the few Gothic cathedrals that were built right by the sea, so it also offers amazing waterfront views.
• Is Gaudí connected to Mallorca Cathedral?
• Yes! Antoni Gaudí was commissioned in the early 1900s to work on the interior renovations!
• Can you climb Mallorca Cathedral's terraces or towers?
• Yes, guided visits to the terraces are available seasonally and offer panoramic views of Palma.
• What is Mallorca Cathedral’s most famous interior feature?
• The enormous rose window! The window, which is also one of the largest in the Gothic world, is made up of over 1,200 pieces of stained glass!
• How big is Mallorca Cathedral?
• Mallorca Cathedral is 121 meters long, 55 meters wide, and the nave reaches 44 meters high, which actually makes it one of the tallest Gothic naves in Europe!
  
  

Mallorca (Palma) Cathedral Fun Facts

• It was built on top of a mosque: The cathedral stands on the site of a former Moorish mosque from after the Reconquista.
• Gaudí never completed his work: He left the project in 1914 due to disagreements with the bishop and other collaborators!
• Its nickname "La Seu" means "the seat": “Seu” refers to the bishop’s seat in Catalan.
• The rose window is nicknamed "the Gothic eye": At 11.5 meters in diameter, it creates dazzling patterns of coloured light on special days.
• Twice a year, it creates a magic light show: On 2/2 (Candlemas) and 11/11 (Saint Martin’s Day), the morning sun aligns to form a figure-eight of light through the rose windows.
• Modernist artist Miquel Barceló added a controversial chapel: His ceramic-covered ‘Chapel of the Holy Sacrament’ was added in 2007, which sparked debate amongst locals and historians!
• The cathedral survived multiple earthquakes: Notably, in 1851, it suffered damage and was subsequently reinforced.
• It's a pilgrimage site: Thousands visit the cathedral each year for religious devotion, especially during Holy Week.
• It has an underwater crypt: Part of the cathedral’s foundation actually includes below-sea-level crypts, which also occasionally flood!
• The cathedral’s lighting was once designed by Gaudí himself: He introduced chandeliers and iron lamps, and redesigned some pews and choir stalls.
• It’s aligned slightly off-centre from its axis: This was done deliberately to reflect earlier structures and possibly astronomical positioning.
• ‍It took over 370 years to complete: A testament to the scale and complexity of its Gothic design!