The Royal Palace of La Almudaina sits comfortably elevated above the Parc, owning her sweeping views of the marina, although very much dominated by the imposing Cathedral. Perhaps this is why I mistook the entrance at first glance, slightly hidden, somewhat undistinguished and distracted for having to dodge those photographing themselves with the more striking of the two facades in the background.
The palace, like the cathedral, stands on the site of important previous settlements and buildings dating back to Roman times and it is likely that this has been the seat of power on the island ever since, be it Roman, Muslim or Spanish. For mixed in with the relics of Roman history and the more modern Spanish influences, remnants of the Muslim period of rule – Arabic architecture, decoration and design – can still be seen in the shape and layout of the castle and some of the features of the fortress.
The castle has served as the main court of the Mallorcan kings, as the site of Official Audiences, the residence of the Viceroy and the Captain General, and the administrative centre of Royal Heritage sites on the island. Today, La Almudaina is the official residence of the King of Spain when visiting Mallorca. As such, we are able to explore the relatively small part of the castle that is open to the public.
The ground floor features The Hall of Fireplaces and The Hall of Kings, along with the historic Arab Baths and wonderful views from the terrace. The two halls used to make up the Great Hall, contained in an independent building to the rest of the palace. In 1578 the roof collapsed and during reconstruction, the area was redesigned and divided into different sections. The Hall of Kings is named for the series of nine portraits of kings that hang on the wall. The highlights of the upper floor include the include the Queen’s Palace and the Great Hall or Tinell (divided over two levels since the 16th century to accommodate larger audiences). Off the courtyard is the charming Santa Ana Chapel.
The Queen’s Palace is a series of rooms set aside for the Queen of Majorca, her children and ladies in waiting. It features a large study, one of the more decorative rooms of the palace. The other notable feature on this floor is the Main Hall which is the largest room and is still used as a reception room. A roof, which had to be restored again in 1985, is a feature of the space.
Down the grand stone staircase and back into the courtyard, it’s easy to miss the door to the little chapel just off to the side. However, don’t miss a quiet moment here. If you sit for a bit and let your eyes adjust from the bright daylight, this private church is worth the pause. Take note of the stained glass window, triptych and turn to the back of the church for the beautiful three panelled painting, a rose shaped stained glass window and the royal crest included in the lovely stonework of the balcony.
Good To Know
Opening times are 10am – 6pm Tuesday to Sunday. The palace is closed on Mondays. Be sure to visit the Cathedral first and then join the (much shorter) line for the palace.
Would I Return?
No. Not for the palace itself, however Palma is a beautiful town to visit and I do plan to return to Majorca to explore more of what this beautiful island which is steeped in history has to offer.
If I was to visit the palace again, I would join one of the tours or purchase the audio guide.
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