The Royal Palace of the Almudaina is located on the island of Mallorca in the capital city of Palma. Mallorca is part of the Balearic Island chain located off the coast of Spain.
In 903 AD, Isam Al Jawlani, conquered the Romans who were occupying Mallorca. Moors of Berber and Arabic descent then controlled Mallorca from 903-1229 AD.
They built the Almudaina in the articulated Islamic architectural style of North Africa.
Almudaina consists of two areas, the outer fortress of defensive walls, and the inner fortification which served as residences.
The palace architectural style results in unique and visually stunning interiors and exteriors that are airy and full of light, replete with arches, tile work, exterior corridors, and views of the ocean. Windows were built to take advantage of the ocean views and cool sea air. There is no sense of the dark claustrophobia one can feel in many other castles and fortresses.
The tapestries you are looking at are Flemish from the 16th and 17th centuries. You can see the light and airy interiors that make the palace so inviting.
The Arabs were eventually expelled from Mallorca and in the 14th century the palace became the official residence of The Spanish Royal Family who still use the palace as offices in the summer months.
Artistic details are evident throughout the palace interiors.
Cheers to you from the stunning Palacio Real de La Almudaina~
Such lovely design in both architecture and interior!
I think it is my most favorite palace.
A beautiful architectural style – the light and air it let in must have improved life and health considerably, more so than the other dank, dark castles of their northern contemporaries.
Yes, I wanted to stay in the palace and I usually am ready to leave other castles after touring them, because of just what you describe.
Very well photographed and honest commentary. Thank you for taking us on another tour Cindy.
Wally (A lover of all that is Southern Spain and the Caribbean.
Wally
I know just why you love this incredible mixture of Spanish and Middle Eastern architecture. It is just jaw droppingly gorgeous. Cheers to you my friend~
Our world and the amazing cultures who either survived or had influence on future cultures is nothing but wondrous. Someday we will recognize that we are but one people; all with the same dreams. SOMEDAY!
Ahhh. I love to hear you say this. I am waiting for that day and I hope it doesn’t come too late!
Appreciating works like a this hopefully removes our feelings of superiority over those who came long before us. In many ways, we stand on their shoulders. Sometimes, we fall off, and it takes ages of suffering before we can get up again.
You are so right. In areas of architecture we have definitely devolved. These old edifices put our modern stuff to shame~
Lovely shots Cindy. 🙂
Beautiful architecture makes nice photos! <3
Wow, very cool! I love the architecture.
I do too! It was a eye opener for me and I want to see more Islamic architecture.
Yes, during that time period I think it was amazing.
Agreed.
Stunning architecture and lovely rugs — great combinations. Thanks for sharing your great photos.
Thank you more for appreciating them!
Thank you so much for the tour and the historic information. Great photos of the magnificent Islamic architecture. Happy travel, Cindy! 🙂 💖
You too my friend. The world awaits us!
Wow. What a beautiful place to live. In fact, they should use it more for living and less for offices.
Thanks for sharing, Cindy.
I certainly would live there in a heartbeat!
Wonderful! I really like those arches! 🙂
Aren’t they gorgeous! <3
https://youtu.be/O3hDNP7QFjY
So gorgeous! Thank you.
What a lovely song of Spring.
Leslie
Wow extremely beautiful! Someday I would love to see Spain! The places you go too look so beautiful! Hugz Lisa and Bear
You would love Spain and think you should seriously consider this!
I have been to Mallorca once. It is (or was) a cheap getaway for tourists from Germany and Austria. You will hear a lot of German when you get closer to the beach. I love the island and your pictures do it’s beauty justice.
Yes there still are lots of Germans on the Balearic islands. There are lots of Germans traveling all over the world. I see them everywhere. There are often more Germans in US National Parks than Americans, which says something I fear. We will be in Germany in a couple of weeks for Easter! I can’t wait for German food.
Travel safe my friend.
I had the opportunity to visit Mallorca for a day. Was lovely. So nice to see a part of the world I never had before. Your pictures are wonderful.
Wonderful to hear from you my friend and so happy you had a chance to visit this magical place. Hope all is well with you~
It is, thank you. Same to you. 🙂
<3
Stunning architecture and interior design!
I don’t think the photos can fully capture the wonderful feeling inside the palace of light and space. So pleased you like it!
❤❤❤ it!
Gorgeous! Such wonderful architecture.
It is. It is amazing!
Beautiful photos. This looks like a fun travel adventure.
Usually castles are fascinating, but this place made you want to stay, maybe forever!
So different to the usual style of European Castle, inviting rather that dominating. Great photographs Cindy.
xxx Huge Hugs xxx
Love the apt descriptor, “inviting vs dominating! “
Reblogged this on Voices and Visions.
Gratitude for you Sharon. Thank you my friend~ <3
I have heard wonderful things about this island. Maybe I will get to see it one day. Very Beautiful!
I hope you do. It has a bit of everything, culture, ruins, beaches and great seafood~
Beautiful! What exceptional photos. 🙂 I would love to go there.
Thank you and I hope you do go and post your photos too!
Beautiful post Cindy and I really like the natural light here 🙂
Yes, I do too, besides it being healthy, it also lifts one’s spirits~
I agree 🙂
Isn’t it amazing the vast differences between French and Spanish palaces.
Very much so. These show the clear Islamic influence which permeates Spain and I love the results~
I feel the breeze, and sense the glorious light. 🙂
You mentally traveled there. Mental travel is wonderful for our psyches. Cheers to you my friend~ <3
Yes, it was a very refreshing journey for my mind. 🙂
Very happy to have enabled that. Hugs to you~
Yeah, this is truly the first airy, spacious castle interior I’ve ever seen! Incredible, and must be great for the respiratory system. Thanks for always bringing unique sights to those of us who’re at home with the fids (feathered kids). 🙂
One thing that bugs me to no end is that modern American hospitals are back on the castle model, with sealed windows, and thus restricted outside air flow. So unhealthy, just like so many European castles~
Wow, that is so beautiful. And a non-claustrophobic castle! Built just for me! LOL.
Sometimes climbing inner castle stairways can be quite claustrophobic, and then you enter the castle rooms and they are dark with arrow slit windows. Not my preference for living. I like sunlight and fresh air.
Me too!
What beautiful architecture!!! Thank you for sharing!
Thank you more for appreciating & cheers to you~
The tapestries are stunning…wonderful atmospheric photos and lovely informative description, Cindy! 😀
I am so glad you enjoyed and thank you for letting me know Amika~
Great shots – the first one is especially beautifully composed
I appreciate you noticing! Thank you~
Interesting and beautiful pictures!
Very thoughtful of you & most appreciated too!
Thanks for sharing, such beautiful tapestries and buildings
Merci beaucoup mon ami~
So beautiful and well preserved, Cindy. You’re right about the difference between this and the dark castles of the colder climes. There are so many places in the world that I want to visit!
I hope you do! It’s good for you~ <3
echt schön, auch heute ein Gruß von mir für dich
Danke und glucklicher Tag zu dir mein Freund~
Wonderful images, Cindy. Thank so much.
Maravillosas imágenes del Palacio; tengo la suerte de conocerlo y tus fotos son magníficas.
Muchas gracias Cyndi.
Ahhh, tengo suerte de conocerte mi amiga. Muchas gracias y abrazos! <3
So very beautiful.
Muchas gracias mi amiga~ <3
That place is beautiful. Love the architecture and those tapestries are amazing.
I am in love with Flemish tapestries. They are like intricate paintings made of thread. Remarkable!
What a gorgeous place! Thank you, Cindy, for bringing it to us. I can almost feel a cool breeze blowing through those palace arches!
It would be nice to live on Mallorca for a summer or three! <3
I love the openness and symmetry of the architecture. I just wish our climate in Canada would accommodate it. Beautiful post Cindy. It was like being there to see your photos.
Leslie
I hear you. One aspect I love about this architecture is the open to the outside rooms, the center courtyards, and the exterior covered corridors, all of which mix the inside with the out!
That is so appealing. If it were warm enough here I’d use the same concept.
Beautiful photos and palace! Thanks Cindy. 🙂
I am very pleased you enjoyed Brad & cheers to you~
Stunning!
Muchas gracias!
Magnificent tapestries and ceiling! Just gorgeous!
Peta
I agree with you. The detailed artistry is magnificent. Thank you!
I’ve missed your beautiful photography Cindy, your first shot is a fantastic view into the passage way. Lovely palace, the detailing and architecture amazing.
It was a palace I could easily live in because of the details you mention. Wonderful to hear from you Mary!
The tapestries sing with color. Exquisite architecture. Imagine that as a summer home. I can only imagine what the Spanish Royal family’s palace looks like. Another beautiful journey with you. Thank you, Cindy!
Yes, Spanish architecture is an incredibly beautiful mix of cultures and traditions, making it distinctive and so lovely. Very pleased you enjoyed Nancy~ <3
Wow! Absolutely fantastic. The light is a big beauty factor. Thank you for the wonderful shots!
Thank you more for appreciating them & I so agree with you on the light! <3
Stunning and beautiful. Hope to visit Mallorca someday (Rafael Nadal’s stomping ground!).
Funny you should say this. On every Portuguese and Spanish island I have visited there are always people playing soccer and I have the photos to prove it!
I’ll bet. Tennis players like Nadal I would think are rare, though. Too many balls getting hit into the ocean!
So fantastically beautiful the architecture is right out of a fairy tale. I wonder if all the antique art work is subject to fading from constant exposure to bright light.
I thought the same thing. I think they rotate it. Spain was a center for tapestry weaving in the past and they must have vast stores of tapestries. So I would definitely imagine they rotate them.
So, when do you move to your new palace, lol? 🙂
I could stay there for few months, but The Holler is more my speed! Besides the King of Spain seems happy with his gorgeous wife! 😉 😉
Spectacular captures, Cindy. Every step you take in this local, holds the stories of centuries. I felt the energy of history. Hugs.
“The energy of history.” I love this and it so perfectly describes the feeling. Hugs to you Rebecca~ <3
Love those great wide arches with their feet on the ground.
Yes! They are gorgeous aren’t they~
Interesting history of the place. I think they made a great design choice. It looks like it the good blend of two architectures giving benefits of both worlds.
Great captures the essence of the place!
Exactly! This is why Spanish architecture is so beautiful. Cultural mixing creates unique beauty. Cheers to you my friend~
You have such an eye for the exquisite, Cindy ♥
And I pick the very best friends, like you! <3
Aaaaw… 💚
What a beautiful building!
Alison
Happy you think so!
Beautiful, Cindy. I went to Mallorca when I was 14 but haven’t been there since. It’s time, I think. 🙂
Please post if you do go! I would love to hear about your experience~
The image of the passageways and the pottery draws me in. Beautiful!
It does invite you enter doesn’t it. It had this effect on me as well~
Nice.
Grazie!
Muy hermoso! ღゝ◡╹)ண♡ ✧♡
Gracias amiga mia y abrazos! ღゝ◡╹)ண♡ ✧♡
Hugz….(っ´∀｀)っ
🌼
What a gorgeous building! Wishing you happy travels.
We are home now, but leaving soon, so thank you very much! Hope you have a wonderful weekend~ ღゝ◡╹)ண♡ ✧♡
Although, I have been on Mallorca, I have not visited it. Thank You presenting it with beautiful photos.
Thank you more for your kind appreciation! <3
Such details. — Oscar
Thank you Oscar & happy weekend my friend~
Beautiful, my brother is going on a geography field trip next week to Mallorca I must remember the name of this beautiful building so that I can tell him. I wish I was going too.
Your brother will have an amazing time. I woul definitely recommend walking up the hill to this palace and I am sure he will! The cathedral next to it is amazing too and there are wonderful Roman ruins as well, not to mention the beaches! He can learn a lot of geography while swimming in them! 😉 I wish you could tag along! 💐
Love this post Cindy! Are you back in Spain?? Or are the photos from your trip before? They are stunning (as always)– the architecture really is a mix of Moorish and Spanish. We lived in Spain for 12 years, but never made it to Mallorca– thankful to see you pictures. xox
This was from our prior trip. I still have photos to post from it in Barcelona and Madrid. It must have been an amazing experience living there for so many years. I remember talking to you about this while I was traveling and loved hearing your tips, all I which I followed, especially about the food!!! 😉 😉
Good news! Will be glad to see any and all of your Spain photos!! Do you have any summer travels coming up?? xo
Reblogged this on Greek Canadian Literature.
I didn’t know that there was a Royal Palace of the Almudaina in Mallorca. You learn something new everyday. I live in Madrid but haven’t been to Mallorca yet. Do you recommend it over the Menorça, if you’ve been there?