La Seu is the defining monument of Palma, visible from miles out at sea and rivalling the greatest Gothic cathedrals of northern Europe in sheer ambition. Construction began in 1229, immediately after the Christian reconquest of Mallorca under King James I, and continued for nearly four centuries. The result is a building of extraordinary height: the nave rises to 44 metres, the second tallest Gothic nave in Europe, supported by columns of breathtaking slenderness. The effect inside is one of luminous verticality — particularly at certain times of year when the rose windows cast coloured light deep into the interior.
The cathedral stands on a platform of ancient walls directly above the waterfront, occupying the site of what was once the main mosque of Islamic Medina Mayurqa. You enter from the south portal facing the sea, or from the west facade through the bishop's gate. The museum inside holds a modest but worthwhile collection of medieval altarpieces, goldsmiths' work, and liturgical objects. Allow at least an hour, and try to visit in morning light when the windows are at their most spectacular.