Mediterranean Destinations
Palma de Mallorca, Spain
Palma de Mallorca, the capital of the Balearic Islands (east of
the Spanish mainland), is the largest city in Mallorca; the population
of the Palma municipality was approximately 380 000 at the beginning
of 2004. Half the population of Mallorca lives in the city of Palma.
The city occupies the north western end of a bay in the south west
of the island of Mallorca.
The name Palma dates back to the Roman settlement on the site of
the present city, although the area was originally settled during
the Bronze Age. In the early middle ages it was invaded by Arabs,
who named it Madina Mayurqa. In 1229 it was conquered by King Jaime
I, ruler of Valencia and Aragon, and became an important trade city.
Attacks by Turkish pirates in the 17th century led to a century
long decline, finishing when Charles III opened trading with the
Indies. Mallorcans call their city La Ciutat (the city) in everyday
talk.
Sites to see in Palma de Mallorca include:
- Castell
de Bellver: Bellver Castle is built on the ruins of a Muslim
site. It contains a museum of archaeological finds and classical
sculptures as well as having an excellent view of the bay
- Catedral
de Mallorca
- Banys
Àrabs: The Arab bath building is the only building
in Palma dating to the Arab settlement. The baths were constructed
in the tenth century, and were sauna-style: the floor was heated
and water added to make the room steamy. A small courtyard and
the two rooms of the baths themselves are open to ten people at
a time.
- Museo de Arte Español Contemporáneo
- Palau De L'almudaina
- Basilica De Sant Francesc
Mallorca is also known for its pleasant climate, resorts and warm
sand beaches.
Summary derived in part from wikitravel.org
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