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The Romans had some sort of major building on the site of Palma’s Cathedral, and it was graced with an important mosque under the Moors. The existing edifice shows the stylistic influences of both those and other cultures (see Sa Seu: Palma Cathedral).

Many Moorish elements can still be appreciated in the old, rambling palace.

These private baths probably belonged to a wealthy Moorish resident and, together with their gardens, have incredibly come down to us virtually intact. However, closer examination reveals elements from even earlier sources. The columns, each one different, were doubtlessly taken from an ancient Roman building.

Although later Renaissance and Baroque touches are evident in the gardens and house, the underlying Arabic styling predominates. The many watercourses are a distinctly Moorish touch, as well as the little oasis-like groves of trees encircling pools, where you can sit and enjoy the fresh air and the music of gurgling rivulets.

This lofty castle was originally used by the Moors as a stronghold. It proved to be virtually impregnable – conquered only after extremely long sieges, with its unfortunate defenders eventually being starved out. The Christians refurbished the old structure and continued to use it for centuries.

The Moors chose another picturesque spot for their “Castle of the King”. The battered ruins we see today, high above the sea on a barren crag, are the remains of medieval embellishments made by Jaume I. It was not effective against pirates, who simply landed at nearby Cala Sant Vicenç, but it was the last stronghold to surrender to Aragonese invasions in the 14th century.

The Moorish town of Alcúdia is built over an ancient Roman settlement called Pollentia. Little more than a few original Roman columns and foundations remain in situ – after being burned by Vandals in AD 440, the antique structures were dismantled to help create the new town (see Alcúdia).

These Bronze Age remains form one of Mallorca’s most impressive prehistoric sites. The defensive wall, composed of huge square blocks, is an example of the Mediterranean Cyclopean style – so-named by later cultures who believed that only a giant like the Cyclops could have built such a structure.

Midway along the beach at Es Trénc is the site of what were probably ancient Roman burial grounds, where ashes of the dead were placed in small niches. It is called a columbarium (dovecote) because it resembles a pigeon house, with small openings lined up in rows.

These well-preserved megalithic ruins, from the Talaiotic culture that dominated the island some 3,000 years ago, are similar to those found at Ses Paisses. The word “Talayot” refers to the towers at such sites, which were two or three storeys high. The central round towers are the oldest elements here; around them is an encirling wall and square towers to complete the defensive complex.