Bellver Castle on Mallorca December 28th, 2008
The island of Mallorca is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Spain. Visitors will find beaches, restaurants, shops, and near-legendary nightlife to keep them entertained. Those seeking a more active vacation will find plenty of opportunities for sailing, swimming, hiking, beach coming, cycling, and rock climbing. The island offers quaint, traditional villages as well as modern cities and hotels range from the five-star Mallorca hotels to private cottages and bed and breakfasts.
One of the most famous landmarks on Mallorca is Bellver Castle. The castle overlooks the capital city of Palma de Mallorca. King James II of Mallorca ordered the castle and construction was begun in 1300 according to designs by architect Pere Salva. Bellver was used intended to be both a fortress and a royal residence and served as such for several centuries.
The circular design of the castle is unique in Spain and among other Gothic castles across Europe. The large towers surround the 2-story courtyard and a free-standing keep connects to the central castle by an arch. The palatial interior architecture constrasts significantly with the austere fortress exterior. The castle offers incredible views of both the city and the sea, hence its name “bella vista” or “beautiful view.”
The castle was used as a political prison during the War of the Spanish Succession and in the 18th and 19th centuries it was a military prison. Although it was given to the city of Palma to use as a museum at the start of the 1930s, the castle again became a prison during the Spanish Civil War. War criminals were imprisoned there as late as the 1950s.
Since 1976, Bellver Castle has housed the Palma History Museum and the Despuig Collection of Classical Sculpture. The castle is also used by the Palma Council for cultural activities such as classical music cycles and for protocol events.
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