Page 62 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Mallorca, Menorca & Ibiza

60  THE BALEARIC ISLANDS AREA B Y AREA P ALM A  61

La Rambla an exhibition of archaeological
Palma’s biggest flower market finds and Roman sculpture
can be found in this shadowy collected in the 18th century
avenue, lined with plane trees. by Antonio Despuig – a
Towards the lower section of historian and cardinal who
the boulevard are two statues left his collection to the city.
of Roman emperors, erected
by the Francoists in honour E Museu Kreković
of Mussolini. At La Rambla’s Carrer de Ciutat de Querétaro 3.
northern end stands the vast Tel 971 219 606. Open 9:30am–1pm
building of La Misericordia, & 3–6pm Mon–Fri, 10:30am–1pm Sat.
remodelled in the mid-19th Closed Aug.
century in a Neo-Classical style. The museum of the Croatian
Painting by Pérez Villata in the Museu Fundación Juan March It houses, among other things, painter Kristian Kreković (1901–
a conservatoire. Next to it is a 85) opened in 1981. It includes
Further Afield contemporary Spanish artists botanical garden. not only works by the artist
If you want to relax away from including Pablo Picasso, Joan but also paintings and
the hubbub of the crowded Miró and Salvador Dali. P Plaça d’Espanya handicrafts from Spain
streets in Palma’s Old Town, take Most of the 50 or so exhibited This sprawling square, and Latin America.
a trip to the outskirts of the city. works are paintings and sculp- containing an equestrian
A stroll along the harbourfront, tures by less well-known artists, statue of Jaume I, is Palma’s g Harbourfront
or a trip to Castell de Bellver, who nevertheless played an main transport hub. The two Palma’s harbour, overlooked
with its lovely view of the city, important role in the shaping railway stations run services by the cathedral, bustles with
is always a treat. of Spanish modern art. The to Sóller, Binissalem and Inca. life, as magnificent yachts
museum, which also stages Just off the square is the large come and go. Here, at the
P Carrer Sant Miquel temporary exhibitions, is part and modern long-distance wharf, you can see fishermen
A narrow street that runs north of Fundación Juan March, a bus station; local city buses at work. The nearby Reial Club
from Plaça Major to Plaça major cultural foundation. stop on the square itself. Arcades surrounding Castell de Bellver’s courtyard Nautic has an excellent
Conquista, Carrer Sant restaurant that often plays
Miquel is closed to R Sant Miquel E Nuevo Pueblo Espaňol Opposite the entrance to The freestanding Torre de host to Spanish royalty.
traffic and is one Carrer de Sant Miquel Poble Espanyol, s/n. Tel 971 737 070. Nuevo Pueblo Espaňol stands Homenaje is joined to the Further on, opposite the
of Palma’s main 21. Tel 971 715 455. @ Open 10am–6pm Mon–Fri (Nov– the monumental Palau de main building by an arch and Auditorio in Passeig Marítim,
shopping streets. Open 9am–1:30pm Mar: 9am–5pm). & Congressos. The congress was designed to be the final is a jetty for pleasure boats
Here, you can buy & 4–8pm Mon–Sat, “Miniature Spain” is located a centre features, among other stronghold. The castle’s flat roof from where you can take a trip
almost anything, 10am–1pm & short way west of Palma’s Old things, the Roman Theatre was built to collect rainwater around the harbour. Beyond
though souvenir 4–8pm Sun. Town. It was built in the 1960s and the Imperial Hall. into an underground cistern. Club del Mar, to the south, is
shops are a rarity. This 16th-century on the orders of the Spanish The entire complex is the ferry terminal providing
Here, too, you will find Rose window on the church is one of the dictator General Franco. E Castell de Bellver surrounded by a moat and regular services to the other
the Museu Fundación façade of Sant Miquel most popular in town. Twenty or so mini versions of C/Camilo José Cela s/n. Tel 971 735 ground fortifications. islands of the archipelago and
Juan March and, a little It was built on the site outstanding examples of 065. @ to Plaça Gomila. Open Apr– A part of the castle has been mainland Spain. Nearby, is a
further on, the church of of a mosque in which the first Spanish architecture include Sep: 10am–7pm Tue–Sat, 10am–3pm turned into a museum. It has naval base. You can see most
Sant Miquel. Nearby, in Plaça victory Mass was said after the Granada’s Alhambra Palace, Sun; Oct–Mar: 10am–6pm Tue–Sat, of the harbour on foot.
Olivar, stands the large iron conquest of Mallorca by Jaume El Greco’s house in Toledo 10am–3pm Sun. & (entrance to the Alternatively, hire a
structure of the market hall I. The Baroque altarpiece with a and Barcelona’s Palau de la castle is free on Sun). 8 bicycle or horse-drawn
that was built in the early picture of St Michael is the work Generalitat. There’s also a About 2 km (1 mile) west of cab. Routes end at the
20th century. of the Spanish religious painter craft workshop, restaurants, Palma’s cathedral, on a pine- 15th-century Torre
Francesc Herrera. a bar and a souvenir shop. clad hill high above the harbour, Paraires or by the
E Museu Fundación Juan stands one of Europe’s most lighthouse in Potro Pi.
March beautiful Gothic castles.
Carrer Sant Miquel 11. Tel 971 713 Though it has, alas, been over- Environs
515. Open 10am–6:30pm Mon–Fri, restored, the Castell de Bellver Five km (3 miles) to the
10:30am–2pm Sat. 7. affords spectacular views of north lies the district of
The museum occupies a the city and bay. Built as a Establiments. Its historic
Renaissance building that was summer residence for Jaume II sights include an old
remodelled in the early 20th by Pere Selvà in the early 14th windmill that now
century by Guillem Reynes i century when Mallorca was an houses a restaurant.
Font in the Modernista style. independent kingdom, it was Music lovers may be
Purchased in 1916 by Juan later turned into a prison and interested to know that
March, the building was remained as such until 1915. it was here, in villa “Son
the first headquarters of The castle, circular in shape, Vent”, on the outskirts
Banca March. has an inner courtyard that is of town, that Frédéric
The museum’s exhibition surrounded by two-tier arcades. Chopin and George Sand
occupies the first and second Three cylindrical towers are stopped while on their
floors and features works by Copy of Alhambra in Nuevo Pueblo Espaňol partly sunk into the wall. Fishing boats in Palma’s harbour way to Valldemossa.
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp148–50 and pp155–9

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Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Catalogue template “UK” LAYER
(Source v2.4)
Date 25th April 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm