- Address: Plaza Sant Francesc 7, 07001 Palma de Mallorca, Majorca, Spain;
- Phone: 00 34 971 712 695;
- Type of construction: Gothic church;
- Dimensions: valley - 74 m, width - 17 m, height - 25 m.
One of the most famous sights of Palma de Mallorca is the Basilica of St. Francis, dedicated to Francis of Assisi. It is located at Address: Plaza Sant Francesc 7, 07001 Palma de Mallorca, Majorca, Spain. It is near the church of Saint Eulalia . The basilica includes a church, a covered gallery-club, made in the Gothic style, and outbuildings.
Church - outside and inside
The church is made of pink sandstone. The construction of BasIlica De Sant Francesc was started in 1281 and lasted by that time only a short time - only a hundred years. Twice as much time was required for the reconstruction of the building, which was seriously damaged by the lightning struck in it at the end of the 16th century. The latest alterations to the façade date back to the 18th century. The portal is decorated with a relief image of the Virgin Mary. In the niches are sculptures of St. Francis and Dominic. St. George, as he should, defeating the dragon crowns the portal. The facade is also decorated with a Gothic Rose of Per Comas authorship.
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The cloister has a non-standard form; The severity of the lines of the Gothic style is somewhat mitigated by the abundance of vegetation in the courtyard (here grow cypresses, lemons and even palms). Especially picturesque the yard looks like in the spring, when the trees blossom. In front of the basilica is a monument to Franciscan monk Hunipero Serra, the founder of Catholic missions on the territory of California.
From the inside, the temple, perhaps, looks even more picturesque than outside. Particularly striking is the two-level trapezoidal gallery, the columns of which are made in different styles and are "living" evidence of how long the building of the basilica lasted, and what changes have taken place in the architectural tendencies during this time. Despite the difference in styles, the gallery looks very harmonious. Vaulted ceilings can definitely be attributed to the Spanish Gothic, but the ornate altar already bears all the features of the Baroque style. The organ is amazing with its magnificence. Also in the basilica there are frescoes, mosaics and a large number of works of art in the Baroque style.
There are several chapels in the church; in the first of them, Nostra Senyora de la Consolacio, is the burial (sarcophagus) of Ramon Ljul, a famous medieval poet, missionary and theologian, born in Mallorca.
When can I see the basilica?
The basilica belongs to the Franciscan monastery, which is still in operation today. The entrance to the basilica is paid, the cost is 1.5 euros. Visit time: Mon-sub: 9-30-12-30 and from 15-30-18-00, Sunday and holidays: 9-00-12-30.