Patio
As patio courtyards are referred to in the center of a town house in Spanish.
Historical development
As a precursor of such courtyards applies, inter alia, the cleaning site of ancient Egyptian temples, which had preceded the actual sanctuary. Patio plants are found throughout the Mediterranean later. In Italy they were built more for large, out-of- town palaces, while in Andalusia also small houses got their patio. The typical form of the Catalan pati is somewhere between these two. It is usually part of the set up of the rich, often aristocratic palaces population.
Historical Patios apply, for example in Palma in Mallorca as a cultural heritage of the city. Therefore Several systems are under monument protection. Also in Andalusia patios are widely used. There have most of the older homes on small courtyards. Especially Córdoba is famous for the number and beauty of its usually rather small patios. There takes place since 1993 every year in May, a competition of the most beautiful patios instead ( Concurso de Patios Cordobeses ). On this occasion, dozens of private, not otherwise accessible patios are open to locals and tourists. In the Canary Islands courtyards are often found in historic houses also.
Patios are testimonies of both the wealth and the social significance of their builders or owners. They were formerly known as domestic resources and meeting venue of the economic and social life.
Patios in Palma de Mallorca
Method of construction
To a patio which the different components of Palacios. To the gallery on the first floor usually a curved and ornate staircase. In the very ancient palaces, the stairs were still attached directly to the house walls. Later, during the Renaissance and especially Baroque, they built magnificent stairways, to which the owners were particularly proud.
Essential for the courtyards are also fountains. In addition, there was also the requirement that at least 25 riders had to find with their horses comfortable in the courtyard space. This is a legacy of knightly spirit. Torches that lit up the yard, therefore, had to be placed so that you could ride up on horseback among them forth.
Much more importantly, the patio was as a reception room for the agricultural workers of the owner. There were chairs and benches along the walls, on which sat the peasants and negotiated with their employer. This usually had an office right next to the main entrance, which was also reached by a small staircase. In the patios met, considered symbolically, the land of the city.
On the first floor of the city palaces, the so-called Planta Noble, lived the often large family. "Families often had four to six children, the eldest son lived mostly with his family in the house. If we calculate added yet servants and staff, easily lived up to 30 people in a palace. " On the second floor above the Planta Noble lived usually the servants. And above was the Italian model still half floor, which served as a warehouse. Agricultural products were, however, often stored directly in the patio before they were either exported or sold.
Are striking in Mallorca as a style feature completely different from the Italian model Mallorcan half or compound curves. This form was due to the material used for construction, limestone Marès from Santanyi. This building material to which the cathedral owes much of its beauty, could not force them to the Italian Renaissance arches, but only to the height process flattened arches.
The facades are all simple, occasionally provided with a loggia, like the Palacio If Eric or the Consulado del Mar. Simplicity are the portals that have metal, sometimes gold-plated door knocker. Their forms were also imported from Italy. The Arabic term aldaba for the door knocker, however, points out that these were already among the Arabs custom.
Tourism
The courtyards in the center of Palma is only limited time to visit and opened. Guided tours are also available in German language. In the tourist information office, there are brochures in which all 57 patios are listed with a small description.