Sant Francesc church

You’ve arrived at the small Plaça de Sant Francesc, facing the basilica bearing the same name. It was built between the 13th and 14th centuries, though the beautiful façade you see today actually comes from the 17th century. If you’re a buff of religious architecture, you’ll love the Basilica of Saint Francis, as it combines a classic medieval Franciscan church with a Baroque façade and a Gothic cloister. The church and cloister form one of the finest architectural ensembles in all of Palma. The cloister, in fact, was quite a unique piece during the reign of the Crown of Aragon, and was built between the 14th and 16th centuries. If you want to visit the basilica and cloister, you’ll have to purchase a ticket. If you do enter, you’ll discover a beautiful 18th-century Baroque altarpiece, as well as the tomb of Ramon Llull, sculpted by Francesc Sagrera. Ramon Llull may not be a familiar name, but he was a 13th-century figure of great importance in Catalonia, since he helped define most of the Catalan literary language, making him one of the most influential medieval figures in theology and literature. He was beatified and is considered a saint in Catalonia. If you decide to stay outside, take time to admire the beautifully sculpted tympanum made by Francisco Herrera. You’ll spot Saint Dominic on the left, Saint Francis on the right of the door, and above them the Immaculate Conception, surrounded by Ramon Llull and the theologian John Duns Scotus, known as the Subtle Doctor. They are crowned by an image of Saint George slaying the dragon. The rose window, also worth a closer look, was made by master glassmaker Pere Comas. By the way, the basilica is classified as a Cultural Interest Site in the Balearic Islands. On the square, you’ll find a statue of Junípero Serra holding a cross aloft. He was a Franciscan missionary from Palma who established many missions in California and Mexico, and is often referred to as the father of California. He was beatified in 1988 and canonized in 2015, which sparked significant controversy since Catholic missions in the Americas were often associated with suffering and cultural erasure for indigenous people subject to forced conversions. Serra’s defenders argue that he was a strong advocate for native populations and often defended them against authorities. It’s a sensitive and complex topic, and in 2015, Pope Francis even apologized to the indigenous communities of the New World for the suffering caused by the Church’s missionary campaigns.