Prehistory and pre-Roman people

Archaeological research at Atapuerca indicates the Iberian Peninsula was peopled many ago. Modern humans began arriving in the Iberian Peninsula through the Pyrenees. The best known artifacts of these prehistoric human settlements are the famous paintings in the Altamira cave of Cantabria in northern Spain.

Archaeological and genetic evidence strongly suggests that the Iberian Peninsula acted as one of three major refugia from which northern Europe was vastly repopulated following the end of the last ice age.

The two main historical peoples of the peninsula were the Iberians and the Celts, the former inhabiting the Mediterranean side from the northeast side to the southwest, the latter inhabiting the Atlantic side, in the north and northwest part of the peninsula. In the most inner part of the peninsula, where both groups were in contact, a mixed, distinctive culture, known as Celtiberian, was present.

In addition, Basques occupied the western area of the Pyrenees. Other ethnic groups existed along the southern coastal areas of Andalusia. Among these southern groups there grew the earliest urban culture in the Iberian Peninsula, that of the semi-mythical southern city of Tartessos (pre-1100 BC) near the location of Cádiz. The flourishing trade in gold and silver between the people of Tartessos and Phoenicians and Greeks is documented in the history of Strabo and in the biblical book of king Solomon.

Between 500 BC and 300 BC, the seafaring Phoenicians and Greeks founded trading colonies all along the Spanish Mediterranean coast. Carthaginians took control of much of the Mediterranean coast in the course of the Punic Wars, until they were eventually replaced by the Romans.

Roman Empire and the Germanic Kingdoms: During the Second Punic War, an expanding Roman Empire captured the Carthaginian trading colonies along the Mediterranean coast from roughly 210 BC to 205 BC, leading to Roman control of almost the entire Iberian Peninsula; this lasted over 500 years, and they were bound together by law, language, and the Roman roads.

The base Celt and Iberian population remained, and local leaders were admitted into the Roman aristocratic class. Hispania served as a granary for the Roman market, and its harbours were used to export gold, wool, olive oil, and wine.

Bellver Castle

The royal residence of Jaime II - the castle is located on top of a hill and is in Gothic style. Bellver Castle has had various different uses over the course of centuries of history. King Jaime II ordered its construction as a royal residence.

In the 19th century it was converted into a mint. Its circular structure is very unusual - it has three towers and a keep spread over four storeys. Inside the castle there is a circular bailey over two storeys and a patio built over a well. There is a chapel on the second floor.
 
The origin: is 14th Century, and the period is 14th Century. The style is Gothic. The castle is located around 3 kilometres from the historic centre of Palma. The Chapel, bailey and towers are a must to visit.

Mallorca Museum 

The museum covers the history of Majorca  It is located in a 16th-century mansion popularly known as "Casa de la Gran Cristiana". The museum contains important archaeological remains, ranging from Talayotic figures to Moorish ceramics, and many other items like Gothic panels.

Of special interest is the collection of weapons, ornaments and spiritual symbols relating to the island's first settlers. There are also paintings, Renaissance and Baroque ceramics, and a section with modernistic furniture.