Wednesday, 21st September
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As this was a free day a group of us decided to take the train to Palma. The journey was quite an experience with good views on the way. Arriving in Palma a short stop was made at the market to explore the delights it had to offer. Then it was off to the Cathedral, the main purpose of my visit. The architecture of the outside of the building held lots of interest, as did the interior which had contributions at various times in history. The Cathedral, also known as La Seu, is one of the finest Gothic churches in the whole of Spain. Begun in 1230 by Jaume I, on the site of the Great Mosque after the Christians recaptured the island from the Moors, it took nearly 4 centuries to complete. Densely packed flying buttresses on the south front create an extraordinary effect. The largest of seven rose windows is magnificent, 12m (40ft) across, composed of 1,236 separate sections of stained glass. The extraordinary baldachino, a wrought iron crown of thorns over the high altar, was added by Catalan Moderniste architect Antoni Gaudí. On the west side of the Mallorca Cathedral is the Main façade which was the only feature on this side to survive the earthquake of 1851. The portal itself, built at the very end of the 16th century, is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception and is, for the most part, the work of Miquel Verger. Between the columns are statues of saints, sculpted one above the other. The upper section houses sculptures of John the Evangelist and John the Baptist. But what really attracts the eye is the image of the Virgin Mary surrounded by a symmetrical representation of symbols: the lily, the well, the gateway to heaven, the rose, the palm, the fountain and the ivory tower, to name some of the less obvious. Leaving the Cathedral I walked along the promenade with views of the harbour. Heading back into the city a small café provided the perfect spot to eat lunch with a group of jazz musicians playing nearby. I eventually made my way back to the station where I met up with the rest of the group for the train ride back to Sóller, and a taxi ride back to the hotel. |
Scroll down to see photos of the walk
The train from Sóller to Palma . . .
with a footplate pose
The fresh fish market in Palma . . .
where there are lots of portraits . . .
and side views . . .
sitting on beds of ice
The fresh fruit market . . .
is beautifully laid out . . .
in colourful groups
I wonder how long it takes to hang the salamis up?
A first look at the west portico . . .
with its sculptures of saints . . .
one above the other . . .
and the main image of the Virgin Mary surrounded by various symbols
Walking around the outside perimeter the detailed design . . .
can be seen in the flying buttress . . .
and the tower
The southern façade overlooks the Parc de la Mar . . .
and the port beyond
Buttresses along the south face create light and shade . . .
but the flying buttresses on the north facade catch the sun . . .
and are enhanced by the blue sky
Inside, the main rose window . . .
floods the pews with colour . . .
and stripes the narrow columns . . .
bringing the sconces . . .
to life
The many stained glass windows add to the feeling of light and colour
Side chapels are intricately decorated
The Chapel of the Holy Sacrament was totally reformed by the Majorcan artist Miquel Barceló and inaugurated in 2007
Barceló covered the entire chapel with terracotta, creating a kind of second skin . . .
and decorated it with images related to the sixth chapter of the Gospel of St. John . . .
the miracle of the multiplication of bread and fish, a theme chosen because the chapel is dedicated to the holy sacrament of the Last Supper.
Antoni Gaudi's largest contribution to the cathedral . . .
is the giant hanging wrought-iron canopy . . .
that is supposed to symbolize the Crown of Thorns
The altar in . . .
the Chapel of St Jerome
A small courtyard outside . . .
holds some beautiful hibiscus plants . . .
and presents . . .
a peaceful haven
The Cathedral from the opposite side of the lake . . .
again . . .
and again . . .
with each photo . . .
being just that bit different
Looks like a cruise liner is in dock . . .
and Castell de Beliver peeps above the trees
A jazz group entertains the crowds . . .
as I return to the station
The winding train line . . .
gives great views over Sóller on the return journey