On The Road in La Granja: A Perfumery in the Balearic Archipelago
Tucked away on the Mediterranean, the Spanish island of Mallorca dazzles with its ancient Roman ruins, beautiful beaches, and lush landscapes. 15 kilometers from the capital city of Palma, the beloved country estate La Granja de Esporles is surrounded by beautiful gardens and a natural spring that has been used since the era of Ancient Rome. Garden Collage recently spent a day on the estate wandering through earthen paths lined with lush plants and the remnants of structures that pre-date modern civilization. The mixing of old architecture and new growth lends the estate an antiquated vibe that suggests an undiscovered, prehistoric wonder.
The property was once owned by numerous noble families and dates back to the 17th century. Over the course of ensuing centuries life on the farm and in the manor became closely tethered. Today, La Granja functions as a living museum that celebrates Mallorcan culture across the ages and in all of its forms– especially its food, which is put up for display in the museum’s garden and served in an adjacent restaurant in seasonal rotation. Almonds, asparagus, and rosemary are all fixtures of Mallorcan cuisine, and all grow in the gardens at La Granja, along with noble plants like pine trees, holm oaks, and arbutus.
La Granja also has an on-site perfumery in which they make scents from the flowers grown in their garden– including a mythic Lacquered Rose scent, which the estate has plans to outsource to brands like Chanel, Caroline Herrara, L’Oreal, and Avon. On first glance, one wouldn’t guess the garden estate this antiquated could be so modern– but in this case, function follows form. The fact that the garden is so old– and still so technologically advanced in its capacity to grow its own goods– is a distinct part of the charm. On our visit in early spring, La Granja’s sleepy estate was slowly awakening into bloom. Strolling along on the historic garden paths, it still looks like it’s been untouched for centuries.
