Spain Day 15 Mallorca 9 Oct 25

We were on our own today so it was a slow easy start. A leisurely breakfast and then we headed out to have a look around the old town.
Our day started with a visit to the Convent de Santa Clara, and then we called in to the nuns next-door. The church is a dark Gothic style building founded in 1256 by nuns of the Franciscan Order. For all its darkness this church had a very peaceful feel about it. The only brightness was the golden Reredos behind the alter. It was carved with columns and two arches and adorned with 8 statues. The church was modestly lit with a small chandelier just in front of the alter. There were 8 chapels in the church, 4 on each side in a blend of Gothic and post Renaissance styles. It was a refuge from the outside world.
After we left the church, we visited the Nun’s shop. They sell pastries and other specialty goods from a “cookie window”. The nuns are cloistered, so they use this method to avoid direct contact with the outside world. It was all part of the mystique and magic of the process. We bought two packets of biscuits, Estrellas de Chocolate and Crespells. We have heard about these goodies sold by nuns through “cookie windows “ for a good portion of our holiday, but timing never favoured us so we jumped at this opportunity. It was a lot of fun working out the process and getting our order across in very badly broken Spanish. But we put our order in, put our money (nuns only deal in cash!!!) in window and everything happened, the biscuits appeared packaged in a paper bag and our change appeared. Deal done, lol.
We then walked off towards the Basilica, on the way Deb noticed a small shop that sold made up baguettes. So we called in and ordered two. That was a bit like ordering with the nuns, trying to get our order across the language scramble. It was fun, our order came out exactly as we wanted, well better really. They got the idea we were going to share the baguettes, so they were cut in two and half of each one put together in our own bags. Such brilliance. From there we walked along we and saw many really interesting things as we went.
We saw the church of Santa Eulalia, a large 1236AD Gothic church that had the front facade and bell tower rebuilt in neo- Gothic style in the late 1890’s.
We saw a famous 600 year old Olive tree that had been transplanted from Pollenca in 1989 into a square in front of the Town Hall. The tree had a really gnarly trunk, but looked very healthy.
We went across the road and had a look in the Town Hall. The building housed a very old school reading/study library, it looked really interesting. There were large figurines in the foyer area dressed in historic costume, a bit strange.
We had a look in the Palau del Consell (Council Palace), it had many old character features, a beautiful large stained glass window above an impressive looking staircase, beautifully ornate doorways and just a great feel to it.
We walked through the Jardin de Tramas, Deb loved the water features and gardens.
We then had a walk around the northern side of the Palma Basilica. A huge building 400 years in the making. Flying buttresses everywhere supporting the enormous impressive structure. Such a picturesque building.
We walked back from there to our hotel for some lunch and a recharge, us and our phones. The rolls we had purchased earlier were delicious.
Later, I went out exploring by myself. I took the Ingress way through the old town to L’Almudaina, or as its officially known “Palacio Real deal la Almudaina”. It was an old Muslim Alcazar that was rebuilt in 2309 by King James II. For years it was the seat of power for the Kings of Mallorca, and later the Crown of Aragon, and eventually the Spanish monarchy. It is still use by the Spanish Royal family when they visit Mallorca. It has a Gothic feel to it throughout, and misses the Moorish influence we have seen in other Alcazar.
From there I went of have a look at Banyas Arabs, a rare example of islamic architecture on the island. It has its roots in the 10th to 11th Moorish Rule of the area. What remains is a bath house and garden from an Arabic Noblemen’s residence. The main feature that remains is a Tepidarium, or warm room (a domed room with 12 columns) and the adjoining courtyard garden. An interesting 5-to-10-minute visit.
From there I walked back to the hotel to put my feet up.
Palma and Mallorca have been a surprise for us. There is so much to see here, it’s definitely not what we expected.
We leave for Valencia tomorrow and more adventures. Let’s hope the weather plays nicely.