One of the most beautiful libraries in the whole of Mallorca, in my mind, is the one inside the Parliament building, in Carrer Conquistador, in Palma de Mallorca.

The Parlament de les Illes Balears is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. The interested public can visit the Balearic Parliament in limited numbers and only for plenary sessions, by previous appointment. Plenary sessions are mostly held on Tuesday mornings, but, not every Tuesday of the year.

The library, however, is open to the public, Monday to Friday, 09h00 to 14h00, all year round. No pre-arrangements are required. You will be asked to show your Tarjeta de Residencia, though, or your passport.

Books on display can be studied but not taken away. Subject matters of the books on display are mostly political or juridical, but not exclusively so. A rare 17th Century edition of Blanquerna by Ramon Llull (Raimundus Lullus), for instance, is available. Nothing political or juridical there. 

The library shown here, and other parts of the parliament building, are listed as Patrimonio Nacional (National Heritage) and can not legally be modified or altered in its display, furniture, architecture or otherwise. See for yourself, and you’ll understand why.

The photo was taken in Palma de Mallorca, Baleares, Spain. The date: May 23rd, 2008. The time was 19:14:41.