Bellver Castle
Bellver Castle | |
---|---|
Palma de Mallorca, Spain | |
Coordinates | 39°33′50″N 2°37′10″E / 39.56375°N 2.619338°E |
Height | 112 m |
Site information | |
Owner | Palma de Mallorca City Council |
Site history | |
Built | 1311 |
Built by | Pere Salvà |
Materials | Marès |
Official name | Castillo de Bellver |
Type | Non-movable |
Criteria | Monument |
Designated | June 3, 1931 |
Reference no. | RI-51-0000411 |
Bellver Castle
Origins and evolution
The castle's plan, a circular floor with round towers attached to it, seems to have been inspired by the upper complex of the Herodion, a 15 BCE hilltop palace in the West Bank, that was also circular and had a large principal tower and three minor towers as well. They are attached while the principal one is coupled to the complex by a high bridge over the surrounding moat.
The main part of the fortification was built by architect Pere Salvà, who also worked in the construction of the Royal Palace of La Almudaina, together with other master masons between 1300 and 1311 for King James II of Aragon and Majorca. Rock from the hill where the castle sits was used for the building, which has eventually led to the appearance of cracks. Once the castle had been built, and following the introduction of artillery, the battlements on the top balconies and the barbican disappeared, being soon followed by those in every tower; loopholes were built instead.
History
The castle originally served as a residence for the
The castle was usually governed by a Lord
Being an enclosed site, since the end of the 14th century it was used as a prison, firstly to hold Queen
Features
Having been founded as a seat for the royal court of James of Mallorca, its structure combines the needs of a palace with defensive elements. The most notable feature in its structure is its circular shape, unique in Mallorca. Both its surrounding wall and the inner yard are so-shaped, and so are the three minor towers and the donjon. A moat is found surrounding the castle and its donjon.
The circular inner yard must be highlighted. It has a well in the middle of it, which indicates there is a cistern underneath. The palace itself is structured as a two-story building around the central yard. All its dependencies face this yard through a gallery of gothic semi-circular arches.
Current uses
In 1931, the
The surrounding forest encloses the stables of the city's Mounted Peelers. There is also a chapel dedicated to Saint Alphonsus Rodriguez, built between 1879 and 1885.
The Sunday following Easter Sunday, the citizens gather at the forest and the castle for the celebration of the Diumenge de l'Àngel.
References
- ^ Bellver Castle, Spain Archived September 2, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ mallorca, mallorcawebsite. portal of interesting links from summer and. "Castell de Bellver. Ancient Fortress and now one of the most popular monuments in Mallorca". www.mallorcawebsite.com. Retrieved 2017-12-26.
- ^ Bellver castle, NorthSouthGuides Bellver Castle, Mallorca
- ISBN 978-84-87159-94-7.
External links
- Bellver Castle - Travel Guide Palma Beach Mallorca
- Virtual 3D-tour of del Castillo de Bellver Archived 2016-04-05 at the Wayback Machine
- Imágenes del Castillo de Bellver
- Castillo de Bellver en la página del Ayuntamiento de Palma de Mallorca
- Artículo en MallorcaWeb (en mallorquín)
- Vista aérea del castillo en la página web del Ayuntamiento de Palma
- Vista del Castillo de Bellver en Google Maps
- Castillo de Bellver en castillosnet.org