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Mallorca : Jardins d’Alfàbia

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Jardins d’Alfàbia

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  • A legacy of the Moorish talent for landscaping and irrigation, the Jardins d’Alfàbia were probably designed by Benhabet, a 13th-century Muslim governor of Inca. The pleasures of the gardens are made possible by a spring that always flows, even in the driest of summers in this very arid land. As well as providing a fabulous oasis for visitors, Alfàbia is also a working farm.

    More beautiful Parks and Gardens
Top 10 Highlights
  • Entrance and Gatehouse Façade 1. Entrance and Gatehouse Façade
    1. Entrance and Gatehouse Façade

    A broad ramp leads past a moss-covered fountain to a Baroque façade, which is set off with palm trees, scrolling arabesque curves and a pair of windows called ojo de buey (ox-eye).

  • Terraced Cascade 2. Terraced Cascade
    2. Terraced Cascade

    To the left of the gatehouse façade is a stepped, terraced cascade. Watercourses, called alfagras (little irrigation channels), serve both a practical and a decorative purpose here and in other Moorish-style gardens.

  • 3. Queen’s Bath

    An open-ended cistern frames a mirror-like pool, called the “queen’s bath”, which is the source of all the water in the gardens. Beyond it is an indescribably lush garden scene.

  • Pergola and Walkway 4. Pergola and Walkway
    4. Pergola and Walkway

    From an eight-sided pergola, a paved walkway is lined with ancient amphorae shooting out jets of water. Between column pairs four and five, don’t miss greeting the black Mallorcan pig.

  • English-Style Gardens 5. English-Style Gardens
    5. English-Style Gardens

    These were created in the 19th century and feature bougainvillea, vines, box hedges, scarlet dahlias and a lily pond. Farm products are sold at a snack bar.

  • Trees 6. Trees
    6. Trees

    An extraordinary range of trees flourishes in the gardens, including white fir, maple, cedar of Lebanon, Monterey cypress, poplar, date palm, holm oak, carob, lemon, magnolia, walnut, eucalyptus and acacia.

  • 7. Groves

    These magical areas are given over to dense plantings in which you can lose yourself, with the refreshing sound of running water always playing in your ears. Hidden pools and ancient walls are among the discoveries to be made.

  • Hacienda 8. Hacienda
    8. Hacienda

    After exploring the gardens, make your way up the hill to the wisteria-covered, L-shaped hacienda with Doric columns. Inside, traditional llengues (flame) fabrics, old prints, instruments and a guitar-shaped grandfather clock are among the exhibits.

  • Flemish Armchair 9. Flemish Armchair
    9. Flemish Armchair

    Also in the hacienda is one of the oldest and oddest pieces of furniture on the island. This 15th-century oak chair has been known, among other things, as the Moorish King’s Chair, but the imagery on it has now been identified as the story of Tristan and Isolde. See if you can spot the king’s head.

  • Courtyard 10. Courtyard
    10. Courtyard

    The courtyard features a huge, 100-year-old plane tree and a moss-covered fountain. From here, you can visit some of the other rooms, then exit through a pair of vast, bronze-covered hobnailed doors, which were originally those of the Palace of the Inquisition in Palma.

Practical Information
The arcing waters of the pergola walkway are operated from a button at the start of the display. However, be aware that the stones under the arbour can become very slippery. Books and postcards can be purchased at the entrance ticket room or snack bar. The garden snack bar offers delicious fresh juices, nuts and dried fruit, and other simple, refreshing tidbits, much of it from the farm itself. Ctra. de Sóller, km 17, Bunyola (just off main highway C711, before toll booth for the Sóller tunnel) 971 613123 9am– 5:30pm Mon–Fri; Apr– Oct to 6:30pm and also 9am–1pm Sat Adm €4.50
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