Tomorrow morning: The light display in Palma's cathedral – a quiet natural wonder

A small natural wonder in the middle of Palma

When the city is still half-asleep and the rattling of the first buses quietly crosses the Passeig de Mallorca, it's worth setting the alarm a few minutes earlier. Tomorrow morning, on one of the rare dates of the year, a Palma Cathedral light phenomenon will again amaze visitors and locals alike: the rose window projects a shimmering pattern onto the interior wall – a figure eight that seems to be made of a hundred thousand sparks of light.

How does the phenomenon arise?

No stage lights, no show effects. It's simply mathematics and Mallorca's sun. At an exactly matching sun position, the light passes through the large rose window of the Catedral de Mallorca (Mañana en Palma: cuando la catedral dibuja el 'ocho' en la pared), refracts in the colored glass pieces and collects on the opposite stone surface. More than a thousand panes form the window and interact – colors, angles and architecture turn a simple sunbeam into a fleeting work of art.

The result looks like a sideways eight. Longtime observers say that the shape and intensity vary slightly from year to year – depending on how clear the air is, how slanted the rays fall and whether a gust of wind lifts a little dust into the air. It is a morning image that feels more quiet than pompous.

Practical tips for early risers

The cathedral opens early tomorrow as an exception; admission is free. If you want an unobstructed view, arrive at least 20–30 minutes before the announced time. On the Plaça de la Seu there is sometimes already a small queue in the morning of people with thermoses or freshly made espresso in hand. Security is thorough: access is limited, and those who arrive late will only peer into the dark through the church thresholds.

A few practical hints: dress warmly – it's cool inside, the stones retain the night. Those who come on foot enjoy a quiet route through the old town, past suppliers delivering their goods early and cafes whose coffee aroma slowly lines the street. EMT buses stop within walking distance; for cyclists the area is a bit tricky because of the narrow lanes, but doable.

Photography is possible, but please be respectful: many visitors experience the moment like a quiet devotion. No loud posing, no flooding the row with smartphones. If you bring a tripod, use it discreetly or ask in advance.

Why so many people come

It is not just about the pretty picture on the wall. It's the combination of light, ancient architecture and the special morning calm in Palma: the distant bells of the cathedral, the occasional cry of a seagull over the harbor, the quiet clatter of a delivery van on the paving. All of this makes the experience sensual – you hear the city wake up while the colour display slowly grows and then fades.

For locals this event often also feels familiar: you meet known faces, exchange a quick "hola" and a comment about the weather. For visitors it is an intimate moment with the city's history – the Gothic walls that have seen centuries suddenly feel very close.

My tip: Cappuccino afterwards. Sit at one of the bistro tables on the square and let what you saw sink in. If you can't make it tomorrow: the light event only repeats rarely during the year. But it is memorable enough that you won't forget it.