This royal castle located in Majorca's capital has its earliest origins in megalithic settlements. It became a Roman castrum, the residence of Muslim Walis and later that of the Christian kings or their representatives. It has alaways been the seat of political power on the island owing to its privileged location overlooking the bay and city of Palma.
The castle, built during the caliphal period, was captured by James I of Aragon when he conquested the island in 1229. He remodelled the following year to make it the seat of the prosperous kingdom of Majorca, which also included Rousillon.
The access to the palace is through Porta Major in the facade opposite the Cathedral, which leads to the main courtyard or parade ground. On the left of it is the Tinell or Sala Major, a large hall built at the begining of the 14th century, and opposite stands St Anne's Chapel. The wqestern side of the Tinell leads into the Palau del Senyor Rei (King's Palace), which occupies a large, rectangular tower with three floors. Behind the Chapel is the courtyard of the "brollador" (water spout), on whose western side is located the Palau de la Senyora Regina (Queen's Palace), which extends across the whole of the facade that looks onto the Hort del Rei (King's Garden) and Rambla.
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