“Bits of stone in glass cases.” That’s how some describe the Museu de Mallorca. But I promise you it’s much more exciting than that sounds. This museum is a journey through Mallorca’s history. It spans from prehistory to the 19th century.
The Museu de Mallorca isn’t just about what’s inside. The building itself has a story to tell. It’s known as Ca la Gran Cristiana. Once, it was the house of the Counts of Aiamans. The palace was built in 1634. Miquel Lluís Ballester de Togores i Salas held the title of Count of Aiamans then. The Villalonga-Desbrull family acquired it in 1775.
Look closely at the facade. Notice the three floors and the round-arched main door. Baroque wrought-iron railings adorn the balconies. The porch windows feature Gothic ogee arches. In the middle, you’ll spot the 18th-century coat of arms of the Count of Aiamans. The Museu de Mallorca’s building retains its pentagon shape from the baroque period. You can still see Gothic traces. Below ground are architectural structures from the Moorish period.
The State acquired this building in 1971. The Museu de Mallorca opened in 1976. It was created in 1961. Collections came from the old Museo Provincial de Bellas Artes. Also, the Marroig collection and State-owned archaeological collections were added. Holdings from the Societat Arqueològica Lul·liana and the Prado Museum joined too.
Inside the Museu de Mallorca, the permanent collection unfolds on the first and second floors. It showcases Mallorca’s history through archaeology and art. The rooms are chronological. They cover Prehistory, Rome, Late Antiquity, Islam, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, and Contemporary periods.
Don’t miss the pottery collection. It spans different historical periods. A late-Roman columbarium is a highlight. Pre-Christian mosaics are also on display. A room dedicated to Gothic painting and sculpture awaits. Another showcases modernist ceramics of La Roqueta. The Museu de Mallorca also hosts temporary exhibits. Educational and recreational activities are offered. There’s a library and a restoration workshop. The museum holds important photography collections.
The Museu de Mallorca provides a quick overview of Mallorcan history. You’ll see Talaiotic and Roman remains. Moorish ceramics are followed by Christian art. It’s worth visiting to see the building. It is a 17th-century palace. It was built on the foundations of one of Mallorca’s earliest Arab houses. The Museu de Mallorca is more than just stones in glass cases. It is a captivating journey through time.