On landing in this largest baleric island I thought it seemed like a regular city. I was beginning to get disappointed. But as soon as the La Seu Palma Cathedral came into sight, I realized that the real Mallorca lies along the coastline and it's alleyways.The Romans, Byzantines, the Moors and the Catalans, all fell in love with this city and settled here in the past 2000 years adding to each layer of its history and culture. Tennis fans will be interested in knowing that it is a birthplace of Rafa Nadal.
Palma Cathedral is an enormous church, rising out along the coastline of the Baleric Sea. Around it horse carriages are ready to take you for a stroll along the coastline. This area is also popular with bicycling enthusiast's , who ride along the coast. When you enter the Cathedral you are stunned by three things- it's immense-ness, it's beauty- it is more contemporary than traditional because Gaudi was here, and it's serenity.The audio guide was very helpful in providing commentary about each apse, the saints and other biblical stories. Gaudi was commissioned in 1901 to transform the church, he removed the columns in the middle, added metal chandeliers around them and the stained glass windows are his signature style. All this lend more light and space inside the church. It is very beautiful.
Behind the cathedral are narrow cobblestone streets lined with souvenir stores selling Mallorcan pearls, locally made cotton dresses, straw baskets and hats. Walked through the Bany's Arab ( Arab Baths) which is a tiny garden with fountains and baths, a remnant of the Moorish culture that existed here between 18-19th century.The alleys have preserved the past in the old palaces with majestic wooden doors and flower dressed balconies.
Heading towards the coastline, Passieg Maritime, came across an open air market where hawkers had set up eyecatching displays of their wares- breads, olives, cheeses, jewelry, scarves and much more.This waterside promenade has windmills and is a bikers delight.
As you leave this area and walk towards the city, a tree lined fancy street- Passieg de Borne, which has come to be known as the "Golden Mile" is a contrast to the cities medieval-ness. It is a luxury shopping street lined with high end stores such as Rolex, Louis Vuitton, Hugo Boss, Caroline Herrera, Versace, Twin set, Mulberry, Rialto Living and others making it a designer's street. Spotted a very sad looking "Minnie Mouse" walking along and then resting her tired feet as I sat people watching.
It was now time to head to the airport to catch the flight back to Barcelona. So we started gravitating towards it, passing through Placa Major, where street performers and artists were vying for your attention as well as your Euros. Had a great day at this awesome island.
Palma Cathedral is an enormous church, rising out along the coastline of the Baleric Sea. Around it horse carriages are ready to take you for a stroll along the coastline. This area is also popular with bicycling enthusiast's , who ride along the coast. When you enter the Cathedral you are stunned by three things- it's immense-ness, it's beauty- it is more contemporary than traditional because Gaudi was here, and it's serenity.The audio guide was very helpful in providing commentary about each apse, the saints and other biblical stories. Gaudi was commissioned in 1901 to transform the church, he removed the columns in the middle, added metal chandeliers around them and the stained glass windows are his signature style. All this lend more light and space inside the church. It is very beautiful.
Behind the cathedral are narrow cobblestone streets lined with souvenir stores selling Mallorcan pearls, locally made cotton dresses, straw baskets and hats. Walked through the Bany's Arab ( Arab Baths) which is a tiny garden with fountains and baths, a remnant of the Moorish culture that existed here between 18-19th century.The alleys have preserved the past in the old palaces with majestic wooden doors and flower dressed balconies.
Heading towards the coastline, Passieg Maritime, came across an open air market where hawkers had set up eyecatching displays of their wares- breads, olives, cheeses, jewelry, scarves and much more.This waterside promenade has windmills and is a bikers delight.
As you leave this area and walk towards the city, a tree lined fancy street- Passieg de Borne, which has come to be known as the "Golden Mile" is a contrast to the cities medieval-ness. It is a luxury shopping street lined with high end stores such as Rolex, Louis Vuitton, Hugo Boss, Caroline Herrera, Versace, Twin set, Mulberry, Rialto Living and others making it a designer's street. Spotted a very sad looking "Minnie Mouse" walking along and then resting her tired feet as I sat people watching.
It was now time to head to the airport to catch the flight back to Barcelona. So we started gravitating towards it, passing through Placa Major, where street performers and artists were vying for your attention as well as your Euros. Had a great day at this awesome island.
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