Discovering the Gardens and House of Alfabia

Approaching the clastra, the typical courtyard of large Majorcan country houses, visitors are welcomed by a wide, romantic avenue, almost like an open-air living room, lined with majestic plane trees. This promenade leads to the main facade of the garden, revealing its iconic centerpiece: the pergola and its water features, rebuilt in the early 18th century. Half of the pergola is decorated with twenty-four stone hydriae, while the intersecting fountains create a sparkling, soothing spectacle for the senses.

Continuing onward, you enter a section of the garden remodeled in the mid-19th century, influenced by the English landscaping style, lush and shaded. Among these spaces is the Queen’s Garden, created for the visit of Queen Isabella II of Spain, also known as the “Reina Castiza.” The lower garden has a tropical feel, featuring a lily pond and a variety of palm trees, including garballons, a protected endemic species of Majorca.

Rich and Varied Architecture

Alfabia’s house showcases multiple styles: Arab, Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque. Its main facade, flanked by two “colcadors” once used to mount horses, is dominated by a large bronze-plated gate, framed by elliptical “ox-eye” windows. Two columns and a magnificent red stone Baroque frame complete the ensemble, crafted by architect Joan d’Aragó in the mid-18th century.

Inside, the coffered ceiling, created in 1170 by Almohad artisans, combines pine and green oak to form stunning arabesques. The coats of arms of the Arab families who lived in the house, as well as those of the wealthy Ben-Abet from the 13th century and the Kingdom of Aragon, are delicately inlaid. The frieze reads: “Allah is great. Power belongs to Allah. There is no God but Allah.”

The Courtyard and Residence

To access the current residence, visitors cross the clastra, paved in traditional Majorcan style, featuring a central fountain and a massive plane tree. A Gothic window and a rounded arch typical of Majorcan architecture can also be admired. Each era has left its mark inside, yet the overall harmony between preservation and modernity is preserved.

The ground floor houses the most furnished and decorated rooms:

Sala Gran, with wood paneling depicting Palma and surrounding villages.
Sala de l’Alcova, with yellow damask walls, a Rococo doorway, and painted scenic panels.
Sala de la Cadira, featuring numerous engravings, musical instruments, and neoclassical busts.
Dining Room, a product of 19th-century renovations, with walls covered in painted wood and fabric.

Alfabia is a remarkable example of harmony between heritage, conservation, and innovation, offering visitors a unique journey through Majorca’s history and art.