Bellver Castle, Spain

The Bellver Castle is a circular form medieval castle located on a hill looking over Palma de Mallorca on the Island of Majorca, Balearic Islands. The construction of the Bellver Castle was ordered by King James II of Mallorca in the beginning of 14th century both as military fortress and a unique Gothic style palace among the Spanish castles.

During the next centuries was the Bellver Castle more often used as a defence fortress and a prison then a residential palace. During the War of the Spanish Succession (1701-1717) was the Castle used as a political prison and afterwards as a military prison throughout 18th and 19th century. In the beginning of the 1930's was the Bellver Castle handed over by the central government to the Palma Council to use it as a museum of antique art but the Castle was used as a prison again during the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) and even until the 1950's were people imprisoned in the Bellver Castle for their role in the Spanish Civil War. In 1976 the Bellver Castle became the Palma History Museum and is today one of the biggest tourist attractions in Island of Majorca. Besides housing a museum the Bellver Castle is today also used for cultural and protocol events.