Palma is revisiting its connection with Antoni Gaudí through “La Palma de Gaudí”, an exhibition at Can Bordils, home to Palma’s Municipal Archives, which will be open to visitors until February 2027. The exhibition explores some of the links between the Catalan architect, one of the leading figures of Modernisme, and a city that played an important role in his career.
Opened on 27 October 2026 by Palma’s mayor, Jaime Martínez Llabrés, the exhibition is curated by Martí Rotger Lebrón, a specialist in document and archive management. It forms part of the events organised for Gaudí Year, marking the centenary of the architect’s death in Barcelona on 10 June 1926.
Gaudí and Palma: a connection that goes beyond the Cathedral
Antoni Gaudí visited Mallorca regularly, particularly between 1902 and 1904, when he worked on the renovation of Palma Cathedral at the request of the then Bishop of Mallorca, Pere Joan Campins. His work at La Seu is one of the best-known chapters of his relationship with the island, but the architect’s influence on Palma extends beyond this project.
The exhibition explores how his ideas and creative solutions coincided with a period of architectural transformation in the city. During those years, Palma was undergoing a phase of renewal, and some Mallorcan architects may have been influenced by the creator of Barcelona’s Sagrada Família.
Through informative panels, the exhibition invites visitors to discover these connections and explore how Gaudí’s architectural language may have inspired various buildings in the Balearic capital.
Palma buildings that reflect the influence of Modernisme
The exhibition features several buildings that help put Palma’s architectural development in the early 20th century into context.
One example is Casa Balet, also known as Villa Alegre, dating from 1903. The Sanitari Balear, built in 1908, is also featured, along with the Gran Hotel, attributed to architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner. Its aesthetic has affinities with some of the creative ideas associated with Gaudí’s Modernisme.
These examples help visitors understand the artistic and architectural climate of the period and discover connections between the different figures and movements that helped transform Palma’s appearance.
Gaudí’s visits to Mallorca and his connection with the island
“La Palma de Gaudí” also explores the architect’s visits to Mallorca for reasons beyond his work on the Cathedral. Gaudí was drawn to the island, taking time to explore its landscapes and immerse himself in its cultural life.
During his stays, he had the opportunity to meet Mallorcan intellectuals and scholars, including the poet Miquel Costa i Llobera and the philologist Antoni Maria Alcover. These encounters formed part of a relationship with Mallorca that went beyond his professional work.
Although the officially documented works signed by Gaudí on the island are those commissioned by the Diocese, his visits coincided with a decisive period for local architecture. The exhibition invites visitors to explore this context and consider the possible connections between his work and Palma’s architectural development.
Where to see “La Palma de Gaudí” in Palma
The exhibition is open at Can Bordils, home to Palma’s Municipal Archives, until February 2027. It offers an opportunity to discover a lesser-known aspect of the city’s cultural history and explore how Gaudí’s work and ideas intersected with Mallorca’s architecture, landscapes and intellectual life.
– Exhibition: “La Palma de Gaudí”.
– Location: Can Bordils, Palma Municipal Archives.
– Opening date: 27 October 2026.
– On display until: February 2027.
With this exhibition, Palma celebrates a story of mutual admiration between the city and one of the most influential architects of Modernisme, inviting visitors to look at its architectural heritage from a fresh perspective.
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