DISCOVER PALMA COURTYARDS IN A WALKING TOUR-PALMA PATIOS
PALMA HOUSES AND COURTYARDS «PATIOS»
Up to the middle of the XX century, the city Palma de Mallorca was the site of one of the most important concentrations of stately homes in the Mediterranean. A long series of historic circumstances, especially socio-economic, caused certain social structures and way of life typical of a stratified agrarian society to last on the islands. In this context and among multiple aspects, the house was a symbol of social status.
The direct antecedent of the house with entrance patio is the medieval Catalan house, the model that arrived in Majorca with the Catalan conquerors in 1229. During the XIII and XIV centuries, the Catalan influence was decisive, but with the passing of time, local architecture acquired its own characteristics and became enriched by diverse influences.
Documents from the XIX century informs as that at that time, Palma had more than 500 stately homes with patio. Not all had the same importance of quality, as not all of them pertained to high nobility, but also to an intermediate segment of the population: The little aristocracy, the professional middle classes, civil servants, the clergy and the rural administrators. The houses, whether big or simple, were built all over the city, side by side with the more humble dwellings.
Along the XVIII and above all the XIX centuries, houses begun to be built multiple floors, which responded the need for housing. The entrances to these buildings corresponded to the typical staircase found in multi-family dwellings. At the end of the XIX and beginning of the XX century, the city opted for growth and to pull down the walls that enclosed it. At the same time, the economic and social crisis among the nobility meant the start of the decay of these stately homes and, in many cases, their disappearance. Many there were converted into multi-family dwellings and conserved the patio. In 1960, there were still some houses intact, but between the 70s and 80s an unstoppable loss of heritage was seen. Currently, only thirteen interiors remain an important number of houses with patio. While the patio has lost its functionality, these houses constitute a most valuable example of what architecture was in Palma.
From the period of the most primitive Gothic patios, the majority of which we know from descriptions or old pictures, to the eclectic examples of the XIX century, through the monumental splendour of the Baroque, these buildings were developed over 600 years of history.
The house was a symbol of the social position of its inhabitants. The house was not just a building, but the architectural expression of a wider concept that included others, such as property, honour, power, lineage, etc. Within this value system, the patio was an emblem.
Palma City offers numerous courtyards inside the stately homes, let us guide you through the courtyards and stately homes in Palma and discover with our guides the Majorcan noble families, its customs and traditions.
Let yourself to get impressed by the fantastic architecture that this houses and courtyards offer.
Our professional tourguides will take you on a fascinating walking tour through the narrow streets of the old town of Palma discovering beautiful nokes, spectacular stately houses and amazing courtyards.
We are available to offer a guided tour to the famous Palma courtyards «patios», do not hesitate contact Mallorca private tour guides and enjoy an unforgettable tour to the patios of Palma.
If your cruise is calling in Palma, it is a great opportunity to discover the way of living of the majorcan families and it can be combined with a visit into the cathedral, or jewish quarter…
Not a better way to discover Palma than a walking tour with Mallorca Private Tour Guides and a visit to the patios-courtyards in Palma.
Join us and discover majorcan «patios» with Mallorca Private Tour Guides
Mallorca Private Tour guides Team