Towering over Palma’s waterfront, La Seu, the Cathedral of Mallorca, is one of the most iconic landmarks in the Balearic Islands — and one of the most impressive Gothic structures in Europe.
With its soaring spires, legendary rose windows, and sweeping sea views, this cathedral is as spiritually uplifting as it is architecturally breathtaking.
From myth to mortar – the iconic Mallorcan legend of the Drac de na Coca now floats proudly beneath the Cathedral. Have you already spotted it? Read more about it here.
⛪ A Gothic Masterpiece with Modern Soul
Construction began in 1229 after King Jaume I of Aragón vowed to build a great cathedral if he survived a violent storm at sea. Completed centuries later, La Seu reflects Mallorca’s layered history, blending Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, and even modernist touches added by Antoni Gaudí in the early 20th century.
Among Gaudí’s most notable contributions? A striking hanging baldachin over the altar, and enhancements to natural light and flow — subtle yet significant changes that elevated the building’s sacred atmosphere.
✨ Interesting Facts About La Seu:
🔹 Built Over a Mosque – Construction began in 1229 after King James I of Aragonconquered Mallorca from the Moors. The cathedral was built on the site of Palma’s main mosque as a symbol of Christian rule.
🔹 One of the Tallest Gothic Naves in the World – La Seu boasts a 44-meter-high central nave, making it one of the tallest in any Gothic cathedral, second only to the one in Beauvais, France.
🔹 A Rose Window Like No Other – The cathedral’s main rose window, known as the Gothic Eye, is one of the largest in the world, measuring 13 meters in diameter. It features 1,236 pieces of stained glass, and during the 8th of February and 11th of November, a magical light effect known as the “Espectacle del Vuit” (Spectacle of Eight) occurs, when the morning sunlight perfectly aligns to create an ethereal reflection of the rose window on the opposite wall.
🔹 Gaudí’s Touch – In the early 20th century, Antoni Gaudí was invited to make modifications to the interior. He added a modernist baldachin over the altar, rearranged the choir stalls, and introduced new lighting elements to enhance natural illumination.
🔹 Miquel Barceló’s Contemporary Chapel – In 2007, renowned Mallorcan artist Miquel Barceló created a ceramic mural inside the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament, inspired by the miracle of the loaves and fishes, blending modern art with centuries-old history.
🔹 A Cathedral That Faces the Sea – Unlike most Gothic cathedrals, which are oriented toward a city center, La Seu is uniquely positioned to face the Mediterranean, making it one of the most picturesque cathedrals in the world.
🕍 Cathedral Visiting Hours (Cultural Visits)
🗓 Summer Season (April to November)
- Monday to Friday: 10:00 – 17:15
- Saturday: 10:00 – 14:15
- Sunday: Closed
🗓 Winter Season (December to March)
- Monday to Friday: 10:00 – 15:15
- Saturday: 10:00 – 14:15
- Sunday: Closed
⛪ Mass Schedule (Horari de Culte)
Open for Worship:
- Monday to Friday: 08:30 – 09:45
- Saturday: 08:30 – 09:30 & 18:30 – 19:45
- Sunday & Holidays: 09:30 – 12:45 & 18:30 – 19:45
Mass Times:
- Monday to Saturday: 09:00 (Lauds & Mass)
- Saturday Evening: 19:00
- Sundays & Holidays:
- 09:55 – Lauds
- 10:30 | 12:00 | 19:00 – Mass
🌅 Don’t Miss the Rooftop Experience:
From spring to late autumn (April 3 – November 29, 2025), visitors can climb up to the terraces of La Seu — a hidden world among arches and buttresses. This self-guided tour gives you:
✔️ Up-close views of the bell tower
✔️ A look through the rose window from above
✔️ Breathtaking views of Palma’s old town and the Mediterranean Sea
✔️ A unique chance to walk among the flying buttresses
🗓 Terrace Opening Hours
- Monday to Friday: 10:00 – 16:30
- Saturday: 10:00 – 13:30
🎟 Entry includes access to the Cathedral
- Free every Friday for residents of the Diocese of Mallorca (ticket required, with ID)
- ❗ Children under 9 are not allowed on the terraces
Find out more here!
🌞 The Magic of the Rose Windows
La Seu features two of the largest Gothic rose windows in the world — one on the eastern wall and one on the western. Each is made of over 1,200 pieces of glass, casting spectacular colored light into the interior.
But twice a year — on February 2nd (Candlemas) and November 11th (Saint Martin’s Day) — something truly magical happens. Around 8:00 AM, the morning sun shines through the main eastern rose window and projects its light directly beneath the opposite western rose, forming a perfect figure eight. This phenomenon, known as the “Vuit de la Seu”, draws hundreds of visitors and photographers, and symbolizes the eternal union of heaven and earth.
✨ Why You Should Go
Whether you’re drawn by the architecture, the spiritual significance, or the soaring sea views, La Seu is an experience that leaves a lasting impression. From the serenity of daily mass to the breathtaking rooftop vistas and the magical rose window alignments, the Cathedral of Mallorca is a living monument of light, devotion, and history.
Don’t miss your chance to witness this treasure — from the ground, from above, and through the lens of centuries.
