Palma de Mallorca, Spain

 Today, we chose a guided tour and I am glad we did. After a relaxing day yesterday, I didn’t want to plan out the next day’s journey last night. Our guide was very good but I didn’t take any notes. I was busy taking pictures. 

Our first stop was the cathedral that sits on the waterfront. This cathedral was built on a previous mosque which was built on a Christian church. The island went from a Roman camp to being colonized by the Moors and being ruled by James of Aragon. It is now part of the Balearic Islands belonging to Spain. The green water in the front of the building is “walled” off from the sea now but originally the sea cane up to the castle walls. The sidewalks and road has been built over the sea providing more room for traffic and tourists. Tourism has been a major source of income for this island since the 1950’s.

Next to the cathedral is the King’s Orchard and Palace. The palace has its own private yacht entrance.

The cathedral has a few name: Catedral de Mallorca, La Seu Cathedral, and Cathedral of Lights. It has 61 windows and is one of the tallest cathedrals in Europe and the world. It stands 44 meters tall. There are always long lines to pay to tour it and you should plan on 4 hours to see it all. Tour are also available for the palace next door except when the King is in residence there.

The original inhabitants did not have any skills except they were excellent “slingers”, meaning they had leather ropes with a stone tied on the end and slung it at objects to break it up or to injure and kill it. This statue reminds the citizens of their origin.

This fountain is in the King’s garden along with a nice shady arched walkway.

The streets in old town are narrow and twist and turn a lot. Thank goodness for a map app on our phones or we would still be trying to find our way back to our guide. We have to share the one lane roads with cars, trucks, and motor bikes/scooters. 

The lobby of the older homes use to house their animals and carriages but now many house their cars. Some homes are open as “museums” for people to see the insides.

Sometimes you will see two buildings connected overhead. This means they are married and joined their homes together (so we were told by our tour guide).

Junipero Serra was born on the island of Majorca and founded the Missions in California. He is credited with the founding of San Diego and San Francisco.

Guided tours are offered in horse drawn carriages.

In Placa de Cort (square courtyard) stands a 600 year old olive tree, ‘Olivera de Cort’, and is well taken care of. It was placed there as a symbol of peace.

Municipal building and the library. 

This is the main staircase of Palma City Hall flanked by two giants.

Giants dressed in typical Mallorcan clothing and these figures are taken out on a regular basis to take part in popular festivities. 

One of the 38 harbors we visited and then a beautiful sunset as the ship left “Summer Hollywood” on its way to our next port.