Bellver Castle. One of the few European circular castles

Entrance fee: Adults: 2.50 euros Pensioners, students and minors below the age of 16: 1 euros Agencies: 2 euros On Saturdays: Free entrance for Palma's residents On Sundays and public holidays: Free entrance for everyone

. The Bellver Castle is a Gothic-style construction built between 1300 and 1310. It houses the City Historical Museum, which contains pieces from archaeological excavations, municipal art collections and the Despuig Classical Sculpture Collection. It also houses the chapel of Saint Marc, patron saint of the castle.

The Bellver Castle is located 3 km from Palma's city centre and 112.6 m above sea level, dominating the bay and a large part of the island of Majorca. Its construction commenced at the beginning of the 14th century on the orders of Jaime II, King of Majorca, and the castle's functions were both defensive and residential.

The plan of the building is circular with three semi-circular towers and another tower about 7 metres away from the main body of the Castle. The construction is set around a central courtyard and has two levels: the ground floor with round arches and flat ceilings and the upper floor with lancet arches covered with a cross vault in pure Gothic style.

The State ceded the Castle's building and forest to the Palma City Council in 1931, that made some conversions to house the Museum. Besides, numerous cultural and leisure activities also take place at the Bellver Castle.

Ground Floor: Armoury Courtyard and City's Historical Museum. Survey of the City's history and building development since the Bronze Age until our time (in the course of being reformed and extended). Main Floor: San Marc Chapel, Jovellanos Room, Throne Room, kitchen and the Despuig Classical Sculpture Collection. Terrace: Panoramic view of the City and its bay. www.tacostamlacultura.cat

 

. Accesses. Public tranport:

- Bus line 50 (red sightseeing bus, bus stop: Bellver Castle) - EMT bus line 3 and 46 (bus stop C/ Joan Miró, nr. 16)

If you prefer to walk: via C/ Bellver or via the forest.

 

. Address. C/ Camilo José Cela, s/n C.P. 07014 Palma . Phone:. 971 -73 06 57. Fax. 971- 45 43 73. E-mail. castelldebellver@a-palma.es. Schedule. Opening hours:

SUMMER (April to September): On workdays (Mondays to Saturdays): From 8:30 hrs until 20:30 hrs  On Sundays and public holidays: From 10:00 hrs until 18:30 hrs

WINTER (October to March): - On workdays (Mondays to Saturdays): From 8:30 hrs until 19:00 hrs  - On Sundays and public holidays: From 10:00 hrs until 16:30 hrs

The opening hours may change due to official receptions and events organised by the City Council of Palma.