Cathedral of Mallorca – La Seu

Overview

Along the coastline within the city of Palma, stands the 14th century cathedral as a gigantic historic landmark also known as La Seu. It is one of the most recognizable buildings in Palma and is definitely a place worth visiting for children. It stands tall, visible from many places including for those arriving by sea, sitting right in front of the park de la mar, and is one of the tallest gothic buildings in Europe.

Jaume I, who on his way to Mallorca experienced rough seas, swore that if he as young king would defeat the moors (Moor, in English usage, a Moroccan or, formerly, a member of the Muslim population of al-Andalus, now Spain and Portugal. - Britannica), would construct a building that would stand visibly tall to mark their campaigns' success.

The Cathedral is accessible from many sides depending on where you are coming from in Palma. Upon entering, one thing you will notice immediately are all the stained-glass windows, in total 61, with the central rose window being the most awe-inspiring. Especially in the morning hours, the sun will flood the building with light through these windows, causing a beautiful colored light to illuminate the building. The pillars of the cathedral are quite slim, considering they are load bearing, and are hence some of the thinnest of this type in the world.

Children will marvel at all the colors and things to discover within the cathedral including some changes the La Seu went under during the early 20th century when Antoni Gaudi added a few touches of his own, including the crown-of-thorns that hangs over the altar (which was actually one of his pupils and colleagues), as well as the reformation of the Chapel of the Holy Sacrament, which was redone by the Mallorca artist Miquel Barceló. Discover the numerous painting, sculptures, and even water related sea creatures in the design.

Children over the age of 12 may also discover, together with their parents, the terraces of the cathedral which gives sky-high views of the surrounding areas. Upon entrance, one may spend as much time as needed to stroll around and discover. There are several rooms and areas to discover. There are also toilets, a gift shop, and audio guides (extra cost), as well as accessibility for those with disabilities.

While it may become boring after a lengthy amount of time, the opportunity to discover things in this amazing cathedral is fun for anyone.

Alternative activities to seeing the cathedral: