The complete circle
A round two-tiered arcaded court — without Gothic equal.
Fedoce1 (Fernando Domínguez Cerejido) — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Fedoce1 (Fernando Domínguez Cerejido) — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Fedoce1 (Fernando Domínguez Cerejido) — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Fedoce1 (Fernando Domínguez Cerejido) — CC BY-SA 4.0
The engineering debate lives: defence without dead angles, royal symbolism of perfection, possible eastern crusader influence — likely their blend. The result outran its age by centuries and remains the type's only complete example.
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Bellver Castle is a singular engineering wonder: Europe's first fully circular castle and its completest still — built by Mallorca's King Jaume II in the early fourteenth century on a pine-forest hill above the bay, a pure circle with round courtyard, three engaged towers and a free fourth joined by bridge. Royal palace, then state prison for centuries — prisoners' carvings in its walls — it is today the city history museum and Palma's finest balcony: from its circular roof the complete panorama, bay, cathedral and mountains, the island capital's best photo point without rival. The ascent is shaded forest on foot, or a car to the gate — and Sundays are free (museum shut Sundays).
A round two-tiered arcaded court — without Gothic equal.
Bay, cathedral and mountains in one full turn.
Centuries of captivity scratched into the walls.
Camí del Castell de Bellver, 07014 Palma