Guided tour - Bellver castle

Have you ever heard about dynasties, dark secrets, betrayals and alliances?

Of course! Maybe it could be the foreword of Games of Thrones…. but all of that was an important episode of the Mallorcan history. After the famous Christian conquest by the Aragon kingdom during the 13th century, the Independent Kingdom of Mallorca was created and with it an important cultural and heritage legacy that today we can still visiting.

During this private tour, we will show you one of the jewels of Palma, a stunning Gothic building built during Christian times: the Bellver castle. It was built as a palace-fortress by Jaume the Second at the beginning of 14th century for the Mallorcan royal family. It is located at the top of the hill to prevent attacks.

Bellver is the most exceptional of the Balearics islands castle, not only for its round shape and for its keep, but also for its uses as a royal residence, refugee during plaque and riot times, military base and prison. thanks that it was built as a residence nowadays its conservation is almost perfect.

At the castle, you will observer the different parts of a medieval castle, important marks on the walls, the History Museum of Palma and the stunning views from the top (panoramic view).

You will notice a contrast of the exterior of the building and the interior. At the outside, you will see the different parts of a medieval castle (the keep, the moat, machicolation, battlements and more). At the inside, you will appreciate an elegant courtyard, a collection of historical pieces from Roman times and classic style (17th Century).

The three kings of Mallorca lived for short periods: Jaime II, Sancho I and Jaime III. At the end of the 14th century, it was inhabited by Juan I of Aragón and Violante de Bar, with his court. They lived for a while fleeing the plague that was ravaging Barcelona.

There were also public executions and punishments applied by the Holy Tribunal of the Inquisition. During the 18th century, it became a military prison. Between 1802 and 1808 he was imprisoned in one of the rooms on the first floor Gaspar Melchor de Jovellanos, the minister of Finance and Justice under the reign of Carlos IV. The castle was also a prison for many French soldiers and officers defeated at the “Bailen” Battle.

In 1817, the general Lacy was executed. He was the leader of a failed revolution. In 1821, the castle was temporarily the Mint, and in the 20th century, it became a Franco prison during the civil war.