DK Travel : Mallorca

Known variously as the “Golden Isle”, the “Wooded Isle” and the “Tranquil Isle”, Mallorca is all of these, despite its decades-long dependence on mass tourism. The island is laden with history and sights, from its castles and enchanted gardens to caves and spectacular mountains. The eastern and southern coasts still sport some of the cleanest, most beautiful beaches in the Mediterranean, and the city of Palma is more attractive, culturally alive and fun than ever.

Mallorca (or Majorca) gets its name from the ancient Roman name for the island, Balearis Major, meaning the “biggest Balearic”

Museu de Mallorca, Palma

The palace that houses this terrific museum dates from 1634. The collections present a full and well-documented range of Mallorcan artifacts, from the prehistoric up to fine examples of Modernista furniture. The Talayot figures – small bronze warriors – and recreations of Neolithic dwellings are other highlights.

Panel, Museu de Mallorca
Museu Diocesà

Just behind the cathedral, the 17th-century Palau Episcopal houses a little diocese museum. On display are items from various churches in Mallorca as well as a selection of majolica tiles. Particularly noteworthy are: a picture of St George slaying the dragon in front of Palma’s city gate, painted in 1468–70 by Pere Nisart; Bishop Galiana’s panel depicting the life of St Paul (who is portrayed holding a sword); the Gothic pulpit in a Mudéjar (Spanish-Moorish) style; and the jasper sarcophagus of Jaume II, which stood in the cathedral until 1904. The palace itself, which is built around a large courtyard, adjoins the city walls. (See also Museu Diocesà, Palma).
Museu Diocesà, Palma

Housed in the former Episcopal Palace, this treasure trove contains archaeological artifacts, ceramics, coins, books and paintings spanning the 13th to 16th centuries. Highlights include the jasper sarcophagus of Jaume II, an Arab tombstone and a painting of St George and the Dragon with a background impression of what 15th-century Palma might have looked like.
Museu d’Art Espanyol Contemporani, Fundació March

Includes works by Picasso, Dalí, Miró and Juan Gris (see Museu d’Art Espanyol Contemporani, Palma).
Museu d’Art Espanyol Contemporani, Palma

One of the finer legacies left by Mallorcan Joan March, who became the world’s third-richest man during the Franco era, in what many say was a dubious rags-to-riches rise. The renovated museum aims to spotlight the contributions of Spanish artists to the global art scene, so you’ll find works by Picasso, Miró, Dalí and Gris, and also Mallorca’s greatest modern painter, Miquel Barceló (see Museu d’Art Espanyol Contemporani, Fundació March).
Museu Etnològic, Muro

Fascinating glimpses into Mallorca’s past include a recreated traditional kitchen pharmacy. There is a fine collection of siurells (Mallorcan clay whistles) featuring men on horseback. The Felanitx pottery bears the characteristic floral decoration.
Museu Gordiola

A fine exhibition of how Mallorcan glass is made and a museum dedicated to the history of glassmaking, from ancient Mesopotamia to the very latest high-style creations of the Murano works in Italy or Steuben in the US (see Gordiola Glassworks).
Museu Monogràfic, Alcúdia

This small but beautifully designed museum houses all the finds from ancient Roman Pollentia, such as cult figures, weights and measures, surgical instruments, needles, games, jewellery and gladiatorial gear.
Museu Municipal de Pollença

In a former Dominican convent, the museum includes prehistoric sculptures shaped like bulls and an exquisite Tibetan sand painting given by the Dalai Lama in 1990.
Museu Municipal de Valldemossa

The range of objects on display is vast and eclectic, such as the history of printing in Mallorca, the work of an Austrian archduke, paintings inspired by the mountains of the Tramuntana, and important works by modern masters.