The most emblematic monument of Mallorca, the Almudaina, reopens to the public after a comprehensive renovation costing 2.5 million euros. The main novelty is the Queen's Palace, which has never been accessible before.
The Royal Palace of Almudaina, one of the historical symbols of Mallorca, has reopened its doors to the public after undergoing a comprehensive renovation that lasted several months. The main attraction of this new phase is the Queen's Palace, a set of rooms that have never been open to visitors before and can now be explored for free during the open days organized to showcase the renovation.
Interested individuals can access the site this Wednesday until 3:00 PM, as well as on Thursday and Friday all day, according to Patrimonio Nacional. Tickets can be collected at the monument's ticket office until capacity is reached. Additionally, residents of the Balearic Islands have the option to visit the Almudaina for free every Wednesday and Sunday from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM.
The renovation, which involved an investment of 2.5 million euros, includes a new chronological museography covering over 2,000 years of history. Víctor Cageao, director of the Royal Collections of Patrimonio Nacional, explained during the inauguration that the aim is to "convey the importance of this site with over 2,000 years of history, as human settlement dates back at least to Roman times".
The tour begins at a new visitor reception centre, where audio guides can also be purchased. From there, attendees access the council chamber, where a seven-minute audiovisual presentation helps to understand the evolution of the building over the centuries, framed in its historical context. Additionally, there is a tactile model designed especially for visitors with visual impairments.
The next stop is the Roman room, which houses two amphorae from a shipwreck off Cabrera and several ceramic pieces loaned by the Museu de Mallorca. Following this, visitors arrive at the room of the splendour of Madina Mayurqa, where a 10th-century sculpture of a white marble lion stands out. This piece, which was previously located in the courtyard, has been restored and is now displayed indoors to protect it from environmental elements.
One of the most unique points of the tour is the area dedicated to the Almudaina's Arab baths, which are showcased through a play of mirrors. The chronology continues with the medieval period, where a 12th-century bronze faucet with a lion head spout and part of the portico of the Chapel of Santa Ana from the late 13th century can be seen.
The Queen's Palace, the main novelty of this reopening, includes the throne room and three adjacent rooms that were occupied by Queens Esclaramunda of Foix and Isabel II during their visit to Mallorca in 1860. The current decor is inspired by the era of Isabel II, as well as that of Kings Alfonso XII and XIII, who used the throne room for receptions and formal greetings. Luis Pérez de Prada, head of Properties and Natural Environment at Patrimonio Nacional, highlighted that the Almudaina "has been used during the Crown of Aragon and up to the current Bourbon period".
The spaces contextualized in the Bourbon period represent a radical change in decorative elements compared to the previous rooms. In the throne room, one of the first electrical installations in Spain is preserved, adding further historical value to the tour.
With this renovation, the Almudaina not only regains its splendour but also offers Mallorcans and tourists a unique opportunity to explore rooms that have previously remained closed to the public. This week's open days are the first step towards establishing the monument as a cultural reference for the island.
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