Bellver Castle is a famous historical building, one of the most popular attractions on the island of Majorca. The ancient structure is located 3 km southwest of the center of Palma. Bellver Castle is located in a picturesque location on the top of a 112-meter-high mountain, bordered by a cascade of lush green pines. But the uniqueness of this ancient building lies not so much in its location, but in its unusual architecture: the fortress with four towers is built in a clear round shape.
It is noteworthy that in translation from Catalan, the name of the castle in Majorca is interpreted as “beautiful view”. Indeed, the local towers offer spectacular panoramas of the emerald hills, azure ocean and white-sand city. Interestingly, the stronghold is connected by an underground tunnel to another iconic structure of Palma-the Royal Palace.
Today, travelers from all over the world who come to relax in Majorca are eager to see the Bellver Castle in Palma. And it is most correct to study its history and get acquainted with its unusual architectural characteristics before visiting the building.
Historical background
Prior to the Spanish conquest, Palm Trees in Majorca had been in Arab hands for more than four centuries. Its position changed dramatically only in 1229, when the Aragonese King Jaime I, famous for his radical but effective economic reforms, captured the city. A few years later, the lord who conquered Palma received the title of King of Majorca. After the death of Jaime I in 1276, this title was inherited by one of his sons, Jaime II. From here, the main round of history of the Bellver Castle in Palma began.
It was Jaime II who initiated the construction of the Bellver Castle, the construction of which was entrusted to the architect Pere Salva. Construction of the fortress began in 1300, and the main part of it was rebuilt by 1311. The main building material was sandstone-a clastic rock that was mined at the foot of the hill, on top of which, in fact, the castle was built. It is assumed that the prototype of Belver was the ancient fortress of Herodion, located in Judea.
In 1343, the city of Palma — and later the whole of Majorca-submitted to the ruler of Aragon, Pedro IV, who, after the victory, annexed the island to his main possessions. During this period, Bellver Castle became the only shelter for King Jaime III, his family and associates. At the end of the 14th century, the fortress served as a refuge for King Juan of Aragon, who hid in its walls from the plague that spread on the continent.
Over the centuries, the Bellver Castle in Palma has undergone a number of transformations. So, in the 17th and 18th centuries. it went through modernization, as a result of which it became possible to install artillery pieces on the walls, and a new bastion appeared in its northern part. In the 18th and 19th centuries, the fortress was actively used as a prison for political prisoners.
In 1976, Bellver Castle was transformed into a museum dedicated to the history of the city of Palma. Here you can see a collection of sculptures from the time of the first settlers to the medieval period. Now the fortress is considered one of the main attractions of Palma in Majorca.
What does the castle look like today
Bellver Castle has survived to this day in excellent condition, and today everyone can appreciate its unique architecture. The unusual design is primarily due to its round shape and four towers, each of which is oriented to its own side of the world. At the same time, the building is built in the Gothic style, which is completely uncharacteristic of the architectural plan of the rounded type.
The largest tower is considered the main one. Its height is 25 m, and its diameter reaches 12 m. The main tower is oriented exactly to the north, while the other three smaller towers face east, south and west. The castle also has 4 completely miniature turrets that merge with the walls, each of which faces in its own direction: south-west, south-east, north-west and north-east.
The inner courtyard of the citadel, consisting of a two-story arched gallery, is interesting. Here you can visit the historical museum and see old sculptures. The citadel itself has a radius of 50 m, and its two-tiered courtyard leads to numerous rooms that once had a certain purpose.
On the lower floor there were rooms for household purposes and dwellings for servants and soldiers. Many of them were small rooms with or without windows. On the upper floor, accessed through spiral staircases in small towers, were the chambers of the rulers and their families, as well as the dining room, chapel and reception room.
Today, most tourists climb the Bellver Castle in Majorca only for the sake of picturesque landscapes, losing sight of the unusual design of the fortress. If, in addition to panoramas, the historical component is important for you, we recommend visiting this attraction of Palma with a professional guide. Well, if you plan to study the castle yourself, then you will definitely need the information listed below.
Practical information
- Opening hours: From April to September, Bellver Castle is open from Tuesday to Saturday from 10: 00 to 19: 00. From October to March, the venue is open from 10: 00 to 18: 00. Sunday is open from 10:00 to 15:00 all year round. Closed on Monday. The attraction is also closed on Easter, Christmas (December 25) and New Year’s Eve.
- Admission fee: adult ticket – 4 €, children’s ticket-2 €. On Sundays, everyone can visit the castle for free.
- Address: Carrer Camilo José Cela, s / n, 07014 Palma, Illes Balears, Spain.
- Official website: https://castelldebellver.palma.cat/
Interesting facts
- Bellver in Palma is the only round-shaped castle in Spain.
- It is noteworthy that earlier sharp prongs were installed around the entire perimeter of the flat roof of the fortress. But in the 17th century, the castle was rebuilt, during which it was decided to remove these elements from the structure.
- Often, music festivals are organized on the territory of the Bellver. Sometimes there is an opportunity to attend concerts of the symphony orchestra.
- As mentioned above, the entire perimeter inside the citadel is built by a two-story arched gallery. An interesting fact is that the arches on the lower tier are supported by 21 columns, while the arched structures of the upper tier are mounted on 42 octagonal columns.
- It is interesting that the Bellver Castle wanted to transform into a museum in 1931, when it was given under the control of the municipal authorities of Majorca. But the administration decided to use the building in its own way and after 5 years again turned it into a prison.
- Today, the main entrance to the castle is located near the north-eastern walls. But that wasn’t always the case. Previously, the main gate was located in the north-western part of the fortress. You can get to them by crossing the bridge, which is built in an L-shaped shape in such a way that visitors who go inside completely lose sight of the main tower. This certainly made sense, since the newcomers couldn’t see themselves being watched from the highest vantage point.
Useful tips
- If you want to explore the castle in peace and quiet, it is best to visit the attraction in the first hours of opening. At this time, visitors are practically absent, which, of course, allows you to plunge into the Middle Ages with more depth.
- You can get to the castle from Palma and back by city bus number 3, which runs every 30 minutes. The fare is 1.5 €. During the winter months, buses run until 18: 00.
- A full sightseeing tour together with its museum will be enough for 1 hour.
- Since the fortress offers picturesque panoramas, do not miss the opportunity to capture them on a photo during the sunset. It is at this time that the most juicy and unique shots are obtained.
- If you enjoy a leisurely walk, it is best to walk to Bellver Castle. On the way you will meet a beautiful park with coniferous trees and, as a result, the cleanest air. From the center of Palma, the road stretches for 3.2 km, which takes about 45 minutes on foot in one direction.
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