S'Hort del Rei (Royal Garden), Palma

Gardens in Palma

The Almudaina Palace in the 14th century once housed the Royal Gardens, which were designed in the Andalusian style and featured a variety of elements including fruit trees, vegetables, medicinal herbs, ornamental plants, and flowers. These gardens were enclosed by walls, the seashore, and the gardener’s house until 1847.

Between 1847 and 1918, significant changes took place in the garden’s layout. Several buildings were constructed at the end of the Royal Gardens, replacing parts of the garden with structures like the Alhombra Hotel, the Lyric Theatre, small shops, newspaper offices, and a shipping office. However, in 1966, architect Gabriel Alomar i Esteve implemented a plan to rejuvenate Palma’s cityscape.

The project involved the demolition of the buildings that had encroached on the garden space and the restoration of the Royal Gardens. In restoring the gardens, Gabriel drew inspiration from traditional Andalusian styles. Today, the garden boasts features like cypress trees, fountains, orange trees, shaded arcades, and a large pond inhabited by black swans.

A notable Islamic arch spans over the pond, and the gardens also house several sculptures, including the famous bronze figure known as the “Stone Slinger.” These sculptures are the creations of artists Llorenc Rosello, Josep Maria Subirachs, and Alexander Calder.

The S'Hort del Rei (Royal Garden), Palma appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Palma!

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