Bellver Castle

Looking Back

Bellver Castle in Mallorca was built between 1300 and 1311 at the order of James II as a palace-fortress to serve as a royal residence and an unshakable refuge.

Despite its rough exterior with the appearance of a defensive fortress surrounded by a moat, the castle had a palatial interior with the fine, elegant decoration one would expect of a royal residence.

From 1717 onwards, the castle became a military prison, housing numerous enemy soldiers, as well as republicans and revolutionaries. From 1821, it was also used as a makeshift coin factory.

What to See at Bellver Castle

The iconic castle has an unusual appearance thanks to its circular formation surrounded by semi-circular towers. Inside, semicircular arches and ribbed vaults provide a Gothic and medieval setting in which it's easy to imagine grand events and pompous royal celebrations.

From the central parade ground, you have access to the different rooms where the equipment was stored and where the service staff was housed, while those on the upper floor were dedicated to the rooms of the royal family.

Unfortunately, the current state of the rooms is very different from their original state, as no pieces of the original furniture have been preserved, and traces of the old colours that once decorated the noble rooms have disappeared with the passing of time.

The best part of the castle is on the upper terrace, from where you can enjoy unparalleled views of the bay of Palma and the dense pine forest that surrounds the fortification.

A Recommended Visit

Bellver Castle is one of the main places to see in Mallorca and is really worth spending some time visiting. Compared to its neighbour, the Castle of San Carlos, this castle offers a striking contrast in style—but luckily, there's no need to choose between them, as both are fascinating in their own way.