The Cathedral of Mallorca, a treasure in the heart of the city
Learn through this report the origins of the Cathedral, its construction evolution and its most characteristic elements.
Mosaic of the Almoina portal (Ca. 1929) by Urban reform project by Gaspar BennàssarCatedral de Mallorca
The Cathedral of Mallorca is located in a place with a long history. In the same place where we find the Temple today, in Roman times there was a settlement and an early Christian basilica.
Mudejar pavement (XIV century)Catedral de Mallorca
In the 10th century, with the conquest of the Muslims, the main mosque of the Island was located in this place, in front of the Almudaina Palace, the residence of the Muslim kings.
Handrail (1904-1915) by Design of Antoni GaudíCatedral de Mallorca
After the conquest of James I, in 1229, the beginnings of the construction of the Cathedral took place under the invocation of the Virgin Mary.
4 centuries in construction and over 700 years of history
The construction of the Cathedral began in the altar area in the 13th century and the works continued until 1631 when the main façade was built.
Corpus Christi Altarpiece (1626-1655) by Jaume BlanquerCatedral de Mallorca
Over the centuries the Cathedral evolves and we find works in the Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, Neoclassical style and also contemporary interventions.
The mark of Gaudí
From 1904 onwards, Bishop Pere Joan Campins hired Antoni Gaudí to undertake a liturgical restoration in the Temple. The objective of this was to adapt the space of the Cathedral so that the faithful could see, learn about and delve deeper into the liturgy.
Baldachin (1912) by Design of Antoni GaudíCatedral de Mallorca
The first stage of Gaudí's reform consisted of the redistribution of the spaces to prepare a nave for the people, a chair for the bishop and an altar for God. To do this, he moved the choir, made a baldachin and decorated the altar with a ceramic mural.
Electric lighting by Antoni Gaudí in the central nave (1904-1906) by Design of Antoni GaudíCatedral de Mallorca
The second stage was focused on the decoration and lighting project. Josep Maria Jujol painted part of the choir and Antoni Gaudí illuminated the main chapel with lamps and stained glass windows and the central nave with lamps.
Light and space, other great protagonists
The passage of centuries has shaped a Cathedral in which, in addition to art, light and space become protagonists. It is for this reason that the Temple is also known as the Cathedral of Light and the Cathedral of Space.
Stained glass windows of the chapel of the Holy Trinity (1889) by Casa AmigóCatedral de Mallorca
In total there are 87 stained glass windows that illuminate the Temple, although some remain to be placed. Most are from contemporary times, the result of numerous renovations. They are dedicated to various religious themes such as episodes from the Bible or liturgical songs.
Main facade rose window (1597-19th century)Catedral de Mallorca
Additionally, there are 5 rose windows. The one on the main façade, dedicated to the Virgin Mary; that of the main chapel, desgined by Antonio Gaudí; two in the side naves and one in the central nave, known as the Main rose window or the Gothic eye.
Major Rose Window (1370) by Jaume MatesCatedral de Mallorca
The Main Rose Window is one of the most representative works of the Cathedral. It is one of the largest of Gothic architecture, it was built in the year 1370. It also stands out for the lighting effects it produces in the Temple.
Lampadario of the chapel of the Trinity (1904-1914) by Design of Antoni GaudíCatedral de Mallorca
In terms of space, the walls of the Cathedral create an open and diaphanous environment, with a central nave more than 100m long and more than 40m high. It is one of the tallest naves in Spain and Europe.
All of this has given rise to the Cathedral of Mallorca, the most important temple for Mallorcans and one of the most outstanding monuments in the Mediterranean.
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