Magic in Mallorca: A Gracious Old-World Garden for a Petite Palazzo

In case you are wondering, the weather on Mallorca can be quite pleasant in October. In November too. Enjoy it vicariously with a visit to the sunny gardens of a 300-year-old palazzo in Felanitx, which has medieval architecture dating to the 1200s (and is a 10-minute drive from Portocolom and one of the area’s loveliest beaches).

We spotted the listing for Carrer de sa Porteria 26 on real estate site Fantastic Frank. Asking price: €1.25 million.

Photography by Lucia López courtesy of Fantastic Frank.

Understated Curb Appeal

Above: From the street, the stone face of the palazzo gives away no hint of the gardens behind the facade

Before being remodeled 20 years ago, the building housed a wine bar.  Converted into a single-family home, the palazzo has eight rooms on three floors, several courtyard and terrace gardens, and a swimming pool.

Above: The palazzo blends in seamlessly with the other stone facades on the street.

Courtyard Garden

Above: Sheltered by dry stone walls, a courtyard garden with a swimming pool and sauna. Exuberant pink bougainvillea climbs a wall and a 50-foot palm tree was transported to the space by helicopter.

Above: A tri0 of sculptures, exhibiting the telltale signs of constructivism, “a particularly austere branch of abstract art.“

Above: Potted plants include sedums, other succulents, and shrubs native to Mediterranean climates.

A retractable awning provides shade to a dining and outdoor cooking area.

Balcony Garden

Above: Upstairs, a bedroom window overlooks a sunny view.

Above: An upper-floor balcony garden borrows color from the courtyard garden’s bougainvillea vines.

See more at Bougainvillea: A Field Guide to Planting, Care & Design.

Terrace Garden

Above: A rooftop garden with a view over the town (including the local church spire) is home to potted lemon and olive trees.

If you live in a Mediterranean climate, get more growing and design tips for Olive Trees, Lemon Trees, and  Wild Grape Vines. See more of our favorite Mediterranean-style gardens:

• Outbuilding of the Week: A Sardinian Guest House in the Trees
• Swimming Pool of the Week: A Medieval Castle Gets an Infinity Pool
• A Study in Stone: The Renaissance of a Medieval Castle Garden in Catalonia