Famous for its good ecological environment and wonderful landscapes, the island of Mallorca is a wonderful place to relax. But not only the magnificent nature attracts tourists from all over the globe, the largest island of the Balearic archipelago is known for the variety of cultural and historical attractions concentrated in its capital.
The large Mediterranean resort of Palma de Mallorca is full of architectural monuments. Among them stands apart the Gothic castle of Belver, whose name translates as "a wonderful place."
Symbol of the capital of Mallorca
Located near the center of the capital, a sample of medieval architecture stands on the very top of the hill. From the observation platforms located on the roof, amazing views of the city and the bay.
Belver Castle, considered a symbol of the capital, was built at the beginning of the 14th century at the behest of the ruler Jaime II. The prototype was the Jordanian fortress Herodion of an unusual shape with four towers.
Royal Palace and fortification
The building with a stone moat and an external wall with loopholes served simultaneously as a royal residence and fortress, guarding access to Palma de Mallorca. The interest of tourists is the unique feature of the massive citadel - this is the only gothic structure in Spain with a non-standard round shape.
Oriented to four cardinal points, Belver Castle from above looks like a huge compass. The fact is that three towers of cylindrical shape are built into the walls of the ancient structure, and the fourth, the largest one located at a distance from them, is connected to the fortress by a massive arched bridge. Within the walls of the Spanish fortress, the outlines of small towers are visible.
Gallery and interior
Inside the castle, surrounded on all sides by a pine forest, there is a cozy courtyard, along the perimeter of which there is a two-tier gallery. The rounded arches of the lower floor are supported by 21 square columns. The rooms of the two-story castle with a courtyard communicate via a covered gallery.
The upper tier consists of arches made in the Gothic style , resting on forty-two columns of an octagonal shape, which emphasizes the Italian style, skillfully combining Gothic and antiquity.
On the lower floor of the castle there were utility rooms and small rooms for servants without windows, and on the second there were luxurious royal chambers, a gala hall for receiving guests, a kitchen and a chapel.
A large well-reservoir was built in the courtyard, supplying residents with drinking water.
From prison to museum
Four centuries later, the castle turned into a prison for political criminals, and the dungeon of the largest tower 25 meters high served as a solitary punishment cell for convicts. Among the prisoners were famous personalities of that time: the widow of King Jaime III with his sons, physicist F. Aragon, famous writer and public figure Gaspard Melchor de Hoveljanos, who described in detail the features of the building structure.
Interestingly, in 1936, Belver Castle again turned into a prison for nationalist rebels. They paved the road leading to the main attraction of the island's capital.
Forty years ago, a museum was opened in a well-preserved citadel, the exhibits of which tell about the history of the city, starting from the first settlements. Large-scale cultural events are often held in the quiet courtyard.
Belver Castle: how to get there?
The address of the fortress which has not lost its greatness is as follows: Carrer de Camilo José Cela, s / n, Palma, Mallorca.
You can get to the castle on your own by buses numbered 3, 46, 50, which will take you to Placa de Gomila, and from the square to the local architectural monument, walk uphill for no more than 15 minutes.
Hours of visiting a city attraction
Bellver Castle, whose opening hours depend on the time of year, is open to all comers every day except December 25 and January 1. Before visiting it, you need to familiarize yourself with all the nuances.
From April to September, the fortress receives tourists from 08:30 to 20:00. On holidays and Sunday - from 10:00 to 20:00.
From October to March, the castle awaits guests from 08:30 to 18:00. On holidays and Sunday, the castle is open from 10:00 to 18:00.
If you decide to visit Belver on Monday, then remember that after 13:00 the architectural gem of the island closes.
However, travel agencies warn that visit times often change due to city events that take place in the courtyard of the castle, so it’s better to check the data on the official website in advance.
Combining the elegance of the royal palace and the power of a defensive fortress, Belver Castle, whose photo admires its amazing shape, is located in an incredibly picturesque place. A visit to the ancient building will bring a lot of impressions to the guests of Mallorca, who are indifferent to history, and beautiful memorable pictures will be a pleasant addition to an exciting trip to the Spanish island.