HERITAGE
PA L M A’ S C O U RT YA R D S : A HIDDEN GEM HAVENS OF PEAC E AND S ILE NC E
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f you like architecture, enjoy admiring the beauty of the past or if you are simply curious to learn about the history of the places you visit, during your stay in Palma, you should definitely book a day to take a tour of the city’s courtyards. Palma’s old town is home to an architectural treasure that has a great historical value. The Majorcan nobility families had their private homes built in the city centre. They were stately homes that would soon become a sign of their wealth and status. These monumental buildings have their own peculiarities according to the time when they were built and refurbished, but they all have one common element: courtyards. Used as an entrance to the different rooms of the houses, these extraordinary buildings are becoming more and more popular among both locals and visitors. If you take a walk through the old town, it will not take you long to recognise them: with cobbled floors and restrained but undoubtedly beautiful. You will instantly fall in love with them.
Some of these courtyards are publicly owned, and others are privately owned, but you absolutely must visit at least - some of them if you are going to be in the capital for a few days. We suggest starting at the Can Bordils building, on Calle de la Almudaina. The building was built in the 13th century on remains of the Islamic period and, although different families have owned it over the centuries, it still retains the name of the family that purchased it in 1647. It is currently owned by Palma City Council and is the headquarters of the Municipal Archive. Can Óleo is on the same street. Its open-air courtyard houses the only Gothic staircase in Palma. After decades of abandonment, in 2006, both the courtyard and the building were renovated and are now owned by the University of the Balearic Islands. Children’s and cultural activities are organised in this peculiar and wonderful setting. Can Olesa is another must-visit courtyard. It stands out because of the combination of elements of different styles due to the renovation works it underwent in the 16th and 17th centuries. The building still has an impressive courtyard, which is overlooked by the coat of arms of the Olesa family, who gave the manor house its name. This is just a small sample of the courtyards in Palma, but there are many more hidden in the oldest alleys of the city. Small and secluded architectural gems that tell stories of those who inhabited them in times past. We encourage you to follow the itinerary to discover them, as it is a captivating experience that you will not forget.
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