Spain Travel Articles - Balearic Islands Guide

Palma Contemporary vs Traditional

When you think of Majorca, many people think of tourists sunning themselves on the beaches, and drinking lots of beer on cheap package holidays, it's inevitable this is the island's bread and butter. . 

However, if you step outside of the mega resort zone of Palma Nova and Magaluf there's a lot more to Majorca and Palma is a city which blends the old traditions of an island steeped in Spanish history, with a modern and contemporary lifestyle will leave you wanting to return for more.

So what better way to experience old vs new than by visiting the following places.

Old Palma

With so much history there is a huge amount to see and do here, but the following three places will help you get a better understanding of the various civilisations that have occupied the island throughout history.

Banys Arabs

The Arab Baths or 'Banys Arabs' are one of the few remaining examples of Moorish culture that remain on island today. They baths themselves can be found in the gardens of Can Fontirroig in the Can Serra. Made of of a square room with twelve columns, these baths were originally part of a larger set of baths and what remains now is where the hot baths took place. It is thought that the baths may have originally formed part of a Moorish Palace, but this cannot be confirmed exactly.

Llotja

This 15th Century Gothic building was originally a merchant house and stock exchange used during a time when the island was a booming powerhouse. The merchant house became neglected over the years and now looks rather weather beaten and now houses exhibitions and is quite impressive to see and get a feel of this bygone era.

La Seu

The cathedral ‘La Seu’ is one of the most striking buildings in Palma and a striking symbol of the city The cathedrals construction began in the 13th century, and it took around 300 years till it was finally completed. It is predominantly Gothic in architecture, but a number of additions and changes in following an earthquake in 1851 including the addition of new stained glass and opening up of windows took place means that the building is now an interesting mix of Renaissance and Gothic.

Modern Palma

Palma like much of Spain has deep roots in contemporary art movement and there is no exception in Palma. And there are a number of key art venues in the city that you should visit. 

Pilar & Joan Miro Foundation

The artist Joan Miro is probably the best known modernist artist of the area and Son Abrines near Cala Major was where Joan and his wife lived from 1956 until his death. When he died Joan Miro donated his workshops and their contents to the council and a foundation to the artist was formed. The Joan Miro foundation building is a truly magical place to see modern art as well as a little of Miro’s own personal history and well worth a visit. 

Es Baluard Contemporary Art Museum

Named for the shipyard that once stood here, Es Baluard now houses a contemporary art gallery where a collection of local Majorcan work can be seen as well as art by a number of key 20th century artists including Rene Maigritte, Oskar Kojoschka and Edouard Vuillard. 

Museu d’ Art Espanyol Contemporani – Fundacion Juan March

This main gallery of Spanish contemporary art is a great place to visit and houses art from Goliath's like Picasso and Salvador Dali, not to be missed. 

This article was written by travel blogger Ross Fraser and you can read more about Palma by visiting the following web site -  http://palmaholidays.org.uk