Parish Church of Santa Margalida, Palma de Mallorca

Saint Margaret’s Church (Iglesia de Santa Margalida) is a hidden architectural gem in Palma de Mallorca’s old town. Visitors will quickly note its modest Gothic façade, one of the earliest in the city, that hides a richly detailed interior filled with history and quiet charm.

Originally established by Franciscan friars in 1238, the church occupies ground steeped in local lore: nearby stood the Bab al‑Kahl gate, through which King James I entered Madina Mayurqa in December 1229, initiating Christian rule in Mallorca. Over centuries, the structure saw expansions and a major rebuild between 1341 and 1374, modernizing the apse and nave arrangements that define its current layout. The building was restored in 1967 and now functions as a parroquia castrense, blending religious tradition with historical resonance.

Inside, you’ll find a striking layout: a single nave with side chapels, a wooden double‑pitch roof supported on five large diaphragmatic arches, and an octagonal ribbed vault over the chancel. Look for details like the medieval tomb of Guillem de Torrella in the first chapel on the left and the baptistery in the corresponding chapel on the right-all featuring intricate carvings and symbolism drawn from Christian iconography.

Visitors appreciate Santa Margarita not for grandeur, but for its intimate atmosphere and layered history: it’s one of Palma’s oldest surviving Gothic churches and offers a quieter, contemplative counterpoint to the city’s more visited landmarks like La Seu Cathedral or Sant Francesc. Whether you’re wandering the pedestrian lanes or café terraces nearby, it makes a perfect short cultural stop with a strong local narrative.