Palais des Rois de Majorque

This was built from 1276 on the hill of Puig del Rei, as the powerbase for King James II of Majorca. It needed to be defensive as well as plush, so it was continually reinforced, the last by Louis XIV's military engineer Vauban. The palace is ranged around three courtyards with lush gardens and surrounded by ramparts and eight fortified towers. Enter through the tour de l'hommage, a marble and sandstone gate. The main building has elegant arcades and two side stairs, and contains the royal apartments and two chapels; Sainte-Marie-Madeleine for the queen and Sainte-Croix for the king. There's also the throne room which is monumental. An interesting detail is a frieze with the word "Allah" in Arabic: covering their backs with the Muslim Moors. You can climb the principal tower for a view of the city and the Pyrenees.

• outdoors
• history

Address

Rue des Archers

Hours

Nov-Mar: 10:00-17:00, Apr May Sep Oct: 10:00-18:00, Jul Aug: 09:30-18:30; closed Jan 1, 15 days in Jan, May 1, Nov 1, Dec 25

Price

Adult €7

Website

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