Castell de Bellver

A Gothic hilltop fortress about 3 km west of central Palma, built 1300-1311 by architect Pere Salvà for King James II of Majorca. It is one of the few circular castles in Europe, with round towers and a circular inner courtyard, and shows Islamic architectural influence. It served as a royal residence, then a military prison from the late 14th century (holding political prisoners such as Gaspar Melchor de Jovellanos), before becoming Palma's history museum in 1932; it was designated a Spanish Cultural Heritage site in 1931.

Palma