Mallorca, the Island Gaudí Loved 🏝️ An Architectural Pilgrimage Departing from Barcelona

When you think of Antoni Gaudí, where does your mind go? Many people would imagine the Sagrada Família or other works in Barcelona. However, in reality, Gaudí's sphere of activity was not limited to Barcelona. His hidden masterpiece also exists on the island of Mallorca (Majorca), floating in Spain's Balearic Islands.

Mallorca, a Mediterranean Paradise

The Balearic Islands are known as a resort area floating in the Mediterranean Sea, east of the Spanish mainland. The largest of these is the island of Mallorca, and its capital, Palma de Mallorca, is the island's hub. Historically famous as the island of love for Chopin and George Sand, it enchants visitors from spring to summer with its deep blue sea and white sandy beaches. In winter, white almond blossoms color the entire island, making it a wonderful place often called the "Hawaii of Europe" by many travelers.

In the heart of this beautiful island, many magnificent structures built from the Middle Ages to the modern era remain, and the most spectacular among them is the Palma Cathedral.

A Cathedral Imprinted with Gaudí's Footsteps: Palma Cathedral

The history of Palma Cathedral is surprisingly long. Construction began in the 1230s by James I, who recaptured Mallorca from the Moors, and it finally reached completion in 1601, taking nearly 400 years. It is a magnificent Gothic structure measuring 121 meters long, 55 meters wide, and 44 meters high.

The history of cathedral architecture in Europe is truly long, and buildings spanning centuries, such as Cologne Cathedral or Seville Cathedral, are not rare. However, Palma Cathedral has a unique characteristic that other cathedrals do not: the beauty of its light.

Palma Cathedral is also called the "Cathedral of Light," and its design makes full use of the blessings of the sun in tropical Mallorca. The light streaming through the large rose window and stained glass illuminates the interior mystically, deeply moving the hearts of visitors. It is truly a spatial production created with the Mediterranean in mind.

Renovation Work Involving Gaudí

This historic cathedral reached a major turning point in the early 20th century. Because the facade was heavily damaged by an earthquake in 1851, renovation work became necessary. Antoni Gaudí, who was active in Barcelona at the time, was invited for this renovation. He traveled to the island and became involved in the restoration of the cathedral.

What Gaudí worked on was not merely external repairs, but important elements related to the interior decoration. Particularly noteworthy is the iron canopy hanging from the ceiling of the altar. This unique form symbolizes Gaudí's aesthetics, and in addition, decorations that skillfully manipulate light and color, such as stained glass, murals, and altar designs, have been applied.

Even more interesting is the fact that mosaic decorations called trencadís, reminiscent of Barcelona's Casa Batlló, are also used. Gaudí's characteristic style is vividly expressed even in this Mediterranean resort.

Fusion with Contemporary Art

The interest of Palma Cathedral does not stop at Gaudí's work. Entering the 2000s, Miquel Barceló, an artist from Mallorca, created a new chapel. He is a famous artist known as the "modern-day Picasso," and the chapel is characterized by cave-like walls and stained glass reminiscent of a witch's castle. The contemporary artistic approach of expressing light within the sea symbolizes a brilliant fusion of old history and art.

A Must-Visit Spot for Gaudí Enthusiasts

When it comes to Gaudí's works, one tends to focus only on Barcelona. However, for true Gaudí enthusiasts, this Palma Cathedral on the island of Mallorca is a must-see spot. It is a precious pilgrimage site where you can see another side of Gaudí, different from the Sagrada Família in Barcelona.

This island is also wonderful as a resort, and you can realize the ultimate vacation by combining holidays on beautiful beaches with viewing Gaudí's architecture. For your next trip to Europe, why not extend your journey beyond Barcelona to this island floating in the Mediterranean? You will surely realize that the world of Gaudí extends further than you imagined.

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