The House
With the typical structure of a Mallorcan house, passing through the gate and the large courtyard or “clastra,” we arrive at the main residence.
The house features traits and elements from different styles: Arab, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque. The main façade is flanked by two “colcadors” or benches used for mounting horses. The large portal (“portal forà”), with doors plated in bronze, has two elliptical “bull’s-eye” windows on either side. It is framed by two columns and a beautiful Baroque frame built from the local reddish stone. The authorship of this façade is attributed to Joan d’Aragó, an important architect and Baroque altarpiece maker in Mallorca in the mid-18th century.
The coffered ceiling, crafted by Almohad artisans, was built in 1170. It is made of pine and holm oak wood, with inlays forming beautiful and typical arabesques. At the bottom are embedded the coats of arms of the Arab families who lived on the estate, alongside those of the wealthy Arab Ben-Abet, a 13th-century figure, and the superimposed stripes of the Kingdom of Aragón. The frieze reads: “Allah is great. Power belongs to Allah. There is no god but Allah.”
Access to the current residence is through the courtyard (“clastra”), paved according to Mallorcan tradition and equipped with a central fountain and a huge London plane tree (Platanus × hispanica). Also noteworthy is a Gothic window belonging to the old residence and the segmented arch that finishes the entrance hall, very common in Mallorcan architecture.
In the house, the passage of time has left traces from each era without disturbing the overall balance.
The evolution of the Alfabia house is a model of respect for the past, preservation and innovation.
Inside, the ground floor stands out, where the most furnished rooms are located:
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The “Sala Gran” (Great Room), with a wainscot depicting images of Palma and other towns.
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The “Sala de l’alcova” (Alcove Room), with walls covered in yellow damask, featuring a Rococo portal and a wainscot painted with landscapes.
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The “Sala de la cadira” (Chair Room), with numerous engravings, musical instruments, and Neoclassical busts.
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The dining room, a result of 19th-century reforms, with wooden and painted fabric wainscoting covering the walls.
Gallery of the House
The House of Alfabia in images.
Passing through the old gate and crossing the emblematic clastra, stands the manor house that forms the heart of Alfabia. With a typical Mallorcan structure and rooms that breathe history, this residence is a witness to the passage of time and multiple generations. Discover its corners, its architecture, and the unique atmosphere that surrounds it.
