The patios of the houses of the nobility and the mansions of the powerful in the old quarter of Palma de Mallorca were a form of visiting card. The abundance of details and decoration revealed – or aimed to reveal – the riches and importance of the owners.

It was the Romans who constructed the first patios, still very small, in Palma. Much later, from the 13th century, the inner courtyards of the mansions began to acquire importance until, in the 16th, 17th and 18th century, the most ostentatious of their kind were built.

When the buildings were renovated the opportunity was taken to extend the courtyards, subdividing them into four and even six segments. The arches of the arcades were enlarged in such a way that the carriages were able to pass without difficulty and the coachmen did not need to alight. Even today, on certain large portals, it is possible to see doorknobs at two different heights: one for the coachmen and the other for those on foot.

The columns of marble or limestone and the segmental arches or the three-centred arches, with their more pronounced vaulting, supported and continue to support today the rooms of the house. The design was adapted to the dictates of the reigning fashion of the day. Stone balustrades, for instance, were replaced by metal ones and the paving of the floor also underwent transformation: now geometric patterns were made using pebbles, now recourse was had to enormous flagstones as, for example, in the Casal Solleric, the current Cultural Centre in the Passeig des Born.

Frequently, gardens were laid out as a continuation of the patios, to which there was access through a wooden doorway. Even today, such an oasis of tranquillity is frequently to be found in the very heart of the city. A good example are the public gardens of the Fundación de la Caja de Ahorros "Sa Nostra" at no. 12, Carrer de la Concepció in Palma.

For a period, these patios were where the social life of the day took place: it was here that business transactions were conducted and holidays and festivities were celebrated. In the daytime the gateways were open to the public in such a way that the inhabitants of the city were able to obtain precious water from the cisterns – despite these being on private property. A little branch in the portal had a special significance: the birth of a child. If the branch was of laurel it was a boy, if olive it was a girl. Nowadays you will look in vain for these signs. The tradition was lost in the 19th century.

Wandering through the old quarter, in Carrer del Forn de la Glòria, one’s attention is caught by a finely preserved window, with richly decorated stonemasonry. Here one is at the House of Captain Flexes, known as Ca's Capità Flexes. The window dates back to the Renaissance period with the figure of a lady suckling two children at the same time: her own and another child – a symbol of compassion.

In the same street we find Ca'n Carrió. The term "Ca'n" is an abbreviation of "La casa de -" meaning "the house of ". The members of the Carrió family were prosperous merchants that in the 17th century acquired two adjacent buildings. The patio, with its beautifully simple columns is divided into four sections, three of which incorporate fine wooden craftsmanship. These columns possess Ionic capitals with spirals on both sides.

The Counts of Montenegro purchased four adjacent houses in the street that bears its name. In the process of rebuilding, two large portals were built, Can Montenegro currently being the sole palace of the nobility in Palma that has two large entrances, one of which opens into a patio. In front of the building there were formerly stables that, without more ado, were placed somewhat to the rear in order to widen the narrow street in front of the building. The property-owning potentates at that time simply wanted greater space, more fresh air in front of their home. And so it has remained to this day.

Now that you are in Carrer de Montenegro, take a look at Can Ripoll, dating from 16th century. At present this houses the Ministry of Tourism for the Balearic Islands. You will see a series of marble columns. One freestanding marble column supports the so-called Gothic staircase. Take time to look at the accomplished restoration of the pebble flooring.