Island Cathedral
Much of the thing to do in Mallorca Spain involves the beach and water. Most people come here to just relax and take in the sea and sun. Those who do want to see a bit of history of the island often head straight to the Cathedral on the hill. They have seen it from a distance and the grandeur from a far has sparked a major curiosity. How amazing would it be to go to mid night mass a the colossal cathedral on the hill of Mallorca Spain. Checking into one of the best luxury hotels Madrid Spain has to offer in December may not be in the plan. While your there in June visitors can still appreciate the experience.
The Cathedral was built by Jaime I as a vow to the Virgin Mary. He was caught in a violent storm in the seas and promised the Virgin Mary that if he survived the storm he would build a church in her honor. As soon as he recapture Majorca, and was safely in from the storm, he started the great project. The planning and building started in 1230 and was not finished until 1601. It was built on top of an Arab mosque site. The design is a French Gothic style and it lays out 121 meters long and 55 meters wide. The main body of the church is surrounded by pillars, spires and flying arches. The bell tower is 55 meters wide and to this day is unfinished.
This enormous cathedral has had it’s share of trouble. The main facade collapsed in an earthquake in 1851. It did get completely restored. It features an open and airy interior with its enormous scale still leaving its visitors feeling harmonious. There are three naves on top of 44 meter pillars. There are eight chapels. The big chapel is the Royal Chapel located in the rear of the building. It is almost as large as the church itself. Then the most interesting is the Crown of Thorns made of cardboard and cork hanging in the air above the altar.
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