Historically speaking, this building was known as the Lonjade Palma de Mallorca(Sa Llotja). It represented the former headquarters of the College of Merchants, symbol of the economic splendor of the fifteenth century mechaderes.
That it is one of the masterpieces of Gothic architecture in Mallorca cannot be refuted. It was built by Guillem Sagrera between 1425 and 1452. Prior to La Lonja, Guillem Sagrera, its architect, had worked in the Portal del Miradorof the Cathedral of Palma and in the Church of San Juan de Perpignan. After finishing the Lonja, he went to Naples where he collaborated in the reconstruction of Castell Nuovoand made the Great Hall. But these works are already fully Renaissance.
For those of you who like architecture, I also have to add that the constructive solution of the columns and their continuity with the nerves of the ribbed vaults made in the Lonja de Mallorca has been repeatedly imitated, as in the case of the Lonja de Valencia, the church of Santiago de Villenaand the base of the towers of San Giorgio of the Castel Nuovoof Naples.
Coming back to our times, this place is known also as the market of Palma de Mallorca. Sa Llotjais the non-religious gothic jewel of the city. In addition to entering and walking among its soaring helical columns, recently, you can also climb to its terrace, to admire the gargoyles close up, in addition to the landscape, of course.
Moreover, you can only go up as a group and with prior reservation by calling the telephone number of the citizen’s service secretary of the governments of the Balearic Islands, owner of the building.
Photo credits: travelguide.michelin.com, controlexperience.com, viagallica.com, pinterest.es and SeeMallorca.com
