The Palma Cathedral is an iconic Gothic Cathedral located in Palma de Mallorca, Spain. Its history spans more than 800 years, when James I reconquered the Island from Islamic rule. The cathedral itself is built on the site of a former mosque, and has seen additions at various stages over the years.

Architecture & design of Palma Cathedral | A quick overview

Official Name: Cathedral of Santa Maria of Palma (Catedral de Santa María de Palma de Mallorca), also known as La Seu
Nature of Attraction: Church
Status: Minor basilica
Location: Plaça de la Seu, s/n, 07001 Palma, Mallorca, Spain | Find on Google Maps
Founded: 1229 (construction began shortly after the Christian reconquest of Mallorca by James I of Aragon)
Area: 121 metres (length), 40 metres (width), 44 metres (nave height)
Architectural Style: Primarily Gothic, with later additions in Baroque and Neo-Gothic styles
Main Architect: Initial construction attributed to several medieval architects; significant later contributions by Jaume Martes (columns), with 19th-century Neo-Gothic restoration by architect Juan Bautista Peyronnet and contributions by Antoni Gaudí in the early 20th century.

About Palma Cathedral

Who designed the Palma Cathedral?

Various architects were commissioned to design the Palma Cathedral over the years. The names of the builders, architects, and stonemasons involved in its construction between the 13th and 17th centuries are unknown. However, there were several key players in the process:

Bishop Pere de Morella: He initiated the construction and consecrated the main altar in 1230 under the directive of King James I of Aragon.
Jaume Martes: An architect from the late medieval period, he was credited with designing and constructing the cathedral’s slender columns, a hallmark of its interiors’ Gothic architecture.
Juan Bautista Peyronne: A 19th-century architect, he led the monumental restoration of the cathedral’s main façade in the mid-19th century, giving it its current Neo-Gothic gable after structural issues arose.
Antoni Gaudí: As a notable 20th-century architect, he oversaw a major interior restoration from 1904–1915, adapting the space for new liturgical practices. Some of the key changes he made included moving the choir stalls, designing a new canopy for the altar, opening bricked-up windows for more light, and introducing ceramic panels with heraldic motifs.
Miquel Barceló: An early 21st-century architect, he renovated the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament (2001–2006), covering the apse in ceramic and redesigning the furnishings and stained glass to evoke a Mediterranean, underwater theme.

Palma Cathedral History

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Frequently asked questions about the Palma Cathedral architecture

What architectural style is the Palma Cathedral built in?

The Palma Cathedral is primarily built in the Gothic style, with later additions and restorations incorporating Baroque and Modernist elements.

What stone is the Palma Cathedral made of?

The Palma Cathedral has been designed using sandstone that looks golden when hit by bright sunlight.

When did the Palma Cathedral’s construction begin?

The Palma Cathedral’s construction began in the 13th century after James I reconquered Mallorca from Muslim rule. It went on till the 1630s, after which various architects were further commissioned to make changes to the cathedral’s design. One of these notable architects is Antoni Gaudí.

Is the Palma Cathedral designed to be accessible?

The Palma Cathedral, including the Museum of Sacred Art of Mallorca, is wheelchair friendly. However, the cathedral’s terraces, which can only be accessed by climbing 200 narrow stairs, are not accessible to those with limited mobility or any cardiorespiratory ailments.

What’s special about the cathedral’s rose window?

The Great Rose Window, also known as the Eye of the Gothic, is among the largest rose windows in the world, designed with 1,236 pieces of stained glass. What’s more, twice a year (February 2 and November 11), the sun catches the window such that it casts a vibrant, colorful glow on the opposite wall within the cathedral.