South Pacific Travel

The Esglèsia de Sant Francesc in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, was built between 1281 and 1317, not long after the reconquest of Mallorca from the Moors in 1229. The monastery's Gothic cloister with fine columns and lobed arches dates from the 14th century.

A bronze statue of Fray Junípero Serra (1713-1784) stands before the 17th century Baroque facade of the medieval Esglèsia de Sant Francesc in Palma de Mallorca, Spain. Serra founded many Franciscan missions in northern Mexico and California.

The little known Museum of Mallorca in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, displays the art and archaeology of the region on three floors.

The Museum of Mallorca in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, occupies a 1634 palace locally known as the "Casa de la Gran Cristiana". It incorporates elements of two earlier Gothic buildings.

The Resurrection of Christ is depicted on the 14th-century gilded wooden framework that originally housed the main altarpiece of the Catedral-Basílica de Santa María in Palma de Mallorca, Spain. In the early 20th century it was hung on a cathedral wall.

Between 1904 and 1914 the famous Barcelona architect Antoni Gaudí created the "Crown of Thorns" baldachin which hangs above the altar of the Catedral-Basílica de Santa María or "La Seu" in Palma de Mallorca, Spain.

The Royal Palace of La Almudaina in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, is an official summer residence for the King of Spain. The building is a former Arab fort called the "Zuda" rebuilt in 1309 by King James II of Mallorca.

The 15th century Torres de Quart are one of only two pairs of gates remaining from the medieval city wall which once surrounded Valencia, Spain. Shots fired by French troops in 1808 during the Peninsular War have left their mark on the towers.

A stall in the Central Market in Valencia, Spain, specializes in horchata de chufa, a creamy drink made from tiger nuts which is a local Valencian specialty. A long sponge-like pastry called a farton is often dunked in glasses of horchata.

Seafoods such as oysters, clams, shrimps, and snails are for sale at the Central Market in Valencia, Spain.

The stained glass and tiles decorating the modernist Central Market (1928) in Valencia, Spain, compliment the colorful array of produce available at the stalls. The spacious hall below the sloping roof and dome is always buzzing with local activity.

Prior to completion of a modernist Central Market building in Valencia, Spain, in 1928 an open air market existed on the site. Today over 250 vendors sell regional produce below the iron and glass structure.

La Almoina Archaeological Museum in Valencia, Spain, exhibits the skeletons of 17 rebel Roman soldiers executed in 75 BC during the Sertorian Wars when Pompey the Great sacked Valentia Edetanorum.

Ancient Roman thermal baths and a well lie below the glass roof of La Almoina Archaeological Museum in Valencia, Spain.

Cardo Maximus was one of two main streets passing through the 1st century AD Roman city of Valentia Edetanorum. A sewer ran beneath the large flagstones. These remains are now preserved in La Almoina Archaeological Museum in central Valencia, Spain.

The excavated thermal baths, forum, and streets of ancient Roman Valentia Edetanorum can be seen at the underground La Almoina Archaeological Museum in Valencia, Spain. Subterranean remains from the Visigothic and Muslim periods are also visible.

A magnificent fresco by Baroque artist Antonio Palomino covers the oval dome of the 17th century Real Basílica de Nuestra Señora de los Desamparados in Valencia, Spain.