| Mallorca Museum |
| Cultural Mallorca |
 The Museu de Mallorca (Mallorca Museum) is located in the palace of the Counts of Ayamans, which is popularly known as Ca la Gran Cristiana. The building itself was constructed in the 16th Century by joining together several old houses. It is a very interesting building with three floors, the main doorway has a round arch, there is a stately floor with Baroque balconies and an attic with Gothic windows. Remains of what are regarded as the first identified Muslim house on the island have been found in its central courtyard. Since it was set up in 1976, the Museu de Mallorca has been renovating and extending its exhibition area. With the new additions, it offers an interesting guide into the island's history, from the first talaiots to pieces from the Modernist period. You will also be able to see some very interesting examples of each of the stages through history in Gothic paintings, particularly Italian Gothic and international Gothic. It is a bit like entering a time tunnel and seeing the history of Mallorca unfold. In the basement you will be able to see the reconstruction of a burial cave, a life size reproduction of a talaiot or prehistoric tower as well as a primitive pottery workshop. There are a series of sculpted marble urns which dated from the prehistoric period and come from the Sanctuary of Son Oms. For some, the rooms showing the evolution of weapons, ornaments and spiritual symbols of the early settlements will be very interesting. There is a collection of materials, found at the site of Turó de Ses Beies, which is said to reflect the flourishing trade experienced in the Mediterranean during the 3rd Century BC. Mallorca is steeped in history and the many different periods of colonisations the island experienced is shown in reproductions such as a Greek-Punic boat, the rooms of a domus, a Roman house with typical atrium, a small pool situated in the centre of the house as well as the replica of an Arab tomb. Apparently dated around the same period as the Arab tomb are a collection of Andalusian pottery and jewellery which belonged to a Muslim family. The museum also has rooms containing Gothic paintings with some important works of art such as the altarpiece of Sant Bernat, the oldest image known of the saint. There are special interest areas dedicated to Renaissance ceramics, the Baroque period (where you can see Italian-style pottery and the first portraits painted in Mallorca) and of course Modernist furniture and works of art from Mallorcan painters, or those living on the island during the last century. There are not many videos of the museum and what there is, is not brilliant, this one will give you an idea of one small part of the museum. I think in this case with so much to see it would be best to take a visit when in Palma!! Museu de Mallorca Portella, 5. 07001 Palma. Telephone:   +(34) 971 717 540 Fax: +(34) 971 710 483. E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Opening times: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, from 10 am to 2 pm and from 5 pm to 7 pm; Thursdays, from 10 am to 2 pm and from 6 pm to 9 pm, and Sundays, from 10 am to 2 pm. Closed on public holidays. |
