Palma Majorca
Palma Majorca isn't your average city: from its old ancient cathedral to its new 5 star shops, the city of Palma has so much history and so much class.
Palma holds over half of Majorca’s population, which makes Palma an exciting city full of ancient artefacts and exclusivity.
The city is a number one shopping destination, with number one shops like Zara giving the opportunity for people like you and me to live the fabulous life of the rich and famous.
Something which I would recommend to do when you visit Palma Majorca is to go on a horse and carriage ride in and around the historic buildings.
Palma, Majorca is the official capital of the Balearic Islands and the major city and port of Majorca with a population well over 401 thousand. It is situated on the Bay of Palma and boasts an airport that handles over 22 million passengers every year: the airport of Son Sant Joan.
Palma was founded on or about 123 B.C. as a Roman camp on a previously inhabited local settlement and it has endured an interesting and checkered history.
The city was Islamic from 902 to 1229 and was not named Palma de Majorca until 1229 by James the 1st of Aragon. This was followed by a variety of small local "gang wars" (the city is cut in half by a river which essentially provides an upper and lower side to the area!)
Palma became the Balearic capital in 1833 and the Marivent Palace became the summer home for Carlos the 1st of Spain....and a royal residence ever since. The official language has been Catalan for many years. (Mallorca=Catalan, Majorca=English)
Tourism really began in the 1950's and then the fantastic growth boom started from the 1960's onwards.
The main tourist resorts are to the east of Palma and the attractions of this old and venerable Capital include:
The Plaza de Espanya...center for buses and trains and Palma Staion.Le Seu...The famous Cathedral built on a Mosque.
The Old City...and the narrow streets that go with it.
The Arab Baths...Palmas' moorish past
The Ancient Mills of El Jonquet....again a reminder of Islamic history.
Palma´s Cathedral has to be seen to appreciate the fine work that took over 200yrs to complete. Inside is simply spectacular!
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