Parc de la Mar
Parc de la Mar is one of the narrated stops on the self-guided Palma de Mallorca audio walking tour in Gingerguide. Plan about ~30 min here. Press play at the spot for its two to three minute story, or ask the AI guide anything about it.
- Type park
- Suggested visit ~30 min
- Palma de Mallorca Palma de Mallorca guide
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About Parc de la Mar
A saltwater lake laid out below the cathedral in 1984 so that La Seu keeps its reflection, standing in for the sea that once reached the city walls before the motorway was built.
Parc de la Mar is the long green and blue space that lies below the cathedral and the old sea wall, covering about nine hectares between the ramparts and the Ma-19 motorway. Its centre is a large saltwater lake with a fountain that bathes the foot of the wall. The lake stands in for the sea, which used to wash right up to the ramparts before land was reclaimed and the road built, and it was designed so that La Seu would keep its mirror image in the water.
The park was officially inaugurated on 12 October 1984, after a first phase of works finished in 1983, following a public campaign against a planned car park on the reclaimed land. A competition in 1978 was won with a scheme built around the lake. A planned channel to bring real sea water under the motorway was never built, so pumps keep the lake filled. Along the wall runs a large ceramic mural by Joan Miro, made with the Mallorcan ceramicist Lluis Castaldo.
Did you know? The lake is filled with salt water, not fresh, pumped and kept topped up because the channel meant to carry the real sea beneath the motorway was never dug.
How long should you spend at Parc de la Mar?
Plan about ~30 min at Parc de la Mar. That is enough to take it in and hear its narrated story; stay longer if it grabs you. The tour is self-guided, so there is no rush.
Is Parc de la Mar worth visiting?
Parc de la Mar is one of the 13 sights the Gingerguide team researched and narrated in Palma de Mallorca, so it earns a place on a self-guided walk. Its story explains why it matters, and you can ask the AI guide anything the story leaves open.
Nearby stops in Palma de Mallorca
Sources and further reading
Where to check the facts about Parc de la Mar and read more:
Day 1 of the Palma de Mallorca in 2 days itinerary →
Updated:
Hear the story of Parc de la Mar
Preview the Palma de Mallorca tour free in the Gingerguide app.