The Gardens of the Misericòrdia: Palma's Quiet Heart Shines Anew

Urban green in the middle of Palma: a small oasis is back

On Saturday morning the gates of the Gardens of the Misericòrdia opened again – after around six months in which pebbles crunched, wheelbarrows quietly made their rounds and gardeners, with gloves and damp eyes, relaid the paths. Anyone who knows the quiet corner behind the cultural centre will feel it immediately: much is new, but not the most important thing. The large trees still stand as if they had patiently waited for the return of visitors.

The ficus, wide paths and everyday practicality

The first thing that catches the eye is the mighty Ficus macrophylla with an estimated crown diameter of 35 metres. It still stands as a shady canopy – and the planners have managed to lay paths and safety zones so that you can walk beneath it without feeling like a nuisance. The paths are wider, the paving level, and ramps make access easier for wheelchair users, parents with strollers and older people. That brings more everyday usability: no more obstacle courses for small errands or Sunday walks.

Practical and poetic: lighting and cultural connections

The lighting has been modernised, with energy-efficient LED lamps now lining the paths. It is an unobtrusive improvement with a big effect: in the evening the atmosphere remains without driving away the insects or turning the neighbourhood into a sea of floodlights. Newly installed power outlets allow small cultural events directly on the lawn – without roaring generators. Practical stuff, as they say on Mallorca's streets, and yet this opens up new possibilities for readings, chamber concerts or a gentle flamenco set under the ficus.

Less frills, more Mediterranean

For the planting, the choice was consciously made in favour of native, heat‑resistant species: rosemary, thyme, low-growing shrubs and other Mediterranean plants now dominate the beds. This reduces maintenance and water consumption – important at a time when Palma's summers like to show their strength. An updated irrigation system is intended to ensure that the plants do not wilt during long heat waves. On entering, the scent of herbs immediately rises to the nose – more pleasant than any artificial air freshener.

A place with small surprises

Discreet seating niches and a handful of small sculptures are now found everywhere, creating more space for encounters without overloading the place. I was there just before eleven: two older ladies tried out the new benches, a female dog sniffed curiously at a lavender bush, and a worker calmly fixed the last sign. In the background, cicadas chirped sporadically – a sound that shapes Mallorca as much as the promenade in summer.

Opening hours, safety and everyday life

The city council points out that the gardens may be temporarily closed in strong winds or extreme heat. That may sound strict, but it is sensible: Palma's summer is no walk in the park, and the protection of visitors and the trees comes first. Anyone planning a visit should heed the council's notices – information on opening hours and short-term closures is available online.

Why this matters for Palma

The reopening of the gardens is more than a cosmetic update. In a city that can be loud and busy in places, these few thousand square metres of urban green provide a space to breathe. Accessibility, lower water demand and the possibility for small cultural formats make the facility a practical gain: for residents, for visitors to the cultural centre and for those who want to experience Palma from a quieter angle.

Looking ahead

The Gardens of the Misericòrdia are now more welcoming, more accessible and tuned to the everyday life of the city. If in autumn the first readings under the ficus take place or young musicians test their repertoire, you'll notice: it is the small, unshowy things that make a city more liveable. And who knows – perhaps the ficus will soon be the most popular meeting point for a quiet picnic or a spontaneous conversation on one of the new benches.

Practical: The entrance is near the cultural centre on the road to the clinic. Current opening hours and short-term closures are published online by the city council.