A Mirador in Spanish architecture is an enclosed balcony. Balconies, enclosed or otherwise, were not really a traditional feature of architecture in Mallorca until about 1885 when, with the new style of Modernisme, things changed. Modernisme is the Spanish or rather Catalan equivalent to some fin-de-siècle art movements, such as Symbolism or Art Nouveau. Modernisme was centred in Barcelona, and its best-known exponent was the architect Antoni Gaudí. The Catalan architect was asked to came to Mallorca in 1899 to help restore and modify the interior of La Seu, Palma’s Cathedral. Gaudí arrived in 1903 and stayed in Mallorca until 1914. During his stay, Gaudí and the Modernisme architecture had an enormous influence on other architects, such as Joan Rubio i Bellver, Lluís Domènech i Montaner, Gaspar Bennàzar, Lluís Forteza Rey or Francesc Roca.

In Palma, you can find an overwhelming number of examples of Modernisme architecture and of Miradors. On a stroll through the Rambla, Carrer del Sindicat, Carrer de Colom, Carrer del Conquistador, Passeig del Born, Carrer dels Oms, etc., raise your eyes and be surprised about and spoiled by some of the beautiful specimens of enclosed balconies. Other such treasures can be found in Plaça de Cort, Plaça de Llorenç Villalonga, Plaça de la Reina, Plaça d’Espanya, Plaça de Quadrado or Plaça del Banc de l’Oli. Check it out.

A nice book on the subject of Miradors was published in 1989 under the title Els Miradors en l’Arquitectura de Palma (see below) by the Ajuntament de Palma.

The photo (top) was taken in Palma de Mallorca, Baleares, Spain. The date: September 11th, 2010. The time was 13:20:03.