Bellver Castle

Bellver Castle is the only circular castle in Spain and the oldest of the few of its kind in Europe.

Bellver Castle is a Gothic fortification, located 3 kilometres from the centre of Palma de Mallorca, and 112.6 metres above sea level. Its name, Bellver, means "beautiful view" (from the Old Catalan bell veer), due to its location, surrounded by forest and with beautiful views of the city and the Serra de Tramuntana.

Construction began in 1300 by order of James II of Mallorca, taking 9 years to complete, with ornamentation added later. It was conceived as a royal residence, where James II, Sancho I, and James III resided. In the late 14th century, it was inhabited by John I of Aragon and Violante de Bar with their court for a period, while fleeing the plague in Barcelona.

The layout of this castle is circular and has two floors. Three semicircular towers are attached to the main part of the castle, while the keep, which is round and the most prominent, is separated from it by about 7 metres.

Its rooms are arranged around a large central circular courtyard. The gallery overlooking the courtyard has semicircular arches and is covered with a flat ceiling on the ground floor, whereas on the upper floor, it features pointed arches with a Gothic ribbed vault ceiling.

Since 1931, this building has housed the Palma History Museum and the Despuig Collection of Classic Sculpture. The Palma City Council also organises various cultural and leisure activities here.