The Royal Residence
Royal Palace of La Almudaina
No other monument in Palma testifies to the Moorish presence on the island as strongly as the Almudaina Palace. It dates back to 1281, the period when the Moors from North Africa occupied the island and pronounced it the seat of the Emir (ruler). Although the imposing fortress, known at the time of the conquest as "Zuda", has a 3,000-meter wall, it was not enough to prevent it from being conquered by Jaime I, in the 14th century. King Jaime II first modified the palace in the Gothic style and then converted it into his own residence. Nowadays, part of the Palace is still used by the Spanish royal family for receptions and audiences, as well as summer holidays. Some areas of the Palace are private but be sure to pay a visit to the “parade ground”, “chapel of Santa Anna” and the “Gran Salo”, which are open to visitors.
As seen on
Palma de Mallorca City Tour: An Exotic European Island