The main entrance to Palma’s La Seu (the Cathedral) is an impressively ornamented grand entrance called Portal Major. The splendid work dates mainly from 1594 and was completed in 1601. What we see today, is a reconstruction from the years 1852 and 1886, being necessary after some damage was suffered during the big terremoto (earthquake) in 1851.

It is quite curious that the main gate is never ever open, with perhaps one or two exceptions per year. One such exception is the procession at the occasion of Corpus Cristi. Other special cases would be a royal visit or a state funeral. All other church services are entered into through the portal beneath the bell tower or belfry, in Plaça de l’Almoina. The other imposing gate, the Porta del Mirador, is facing the Badia de Palma and the Mediterranean Sea. This entry is also never open for public use. The reason the main portals are rarely opened seems to be the strong wind penetrating from the coast and reverberating forcefully in the sanctuary if the doors would be open. Fancy that.

The photo was taken in Palma de Mallorca, Baleares, Spain. The date: February 2nd, 2010. The time was 10:53:22.