Psiquiàtric

Approaching the Psiquiàtric in Palma de Mallorca, you might feel a sense of tranquility. It’s hard to believe this peaceful place, nestled within the bustling city, was once a monastery. The Psiquiàtric, now the “hospitalization area of the mental health area,” has a unique history. It was built using the existing structure of a former monastery, a place where monks once cultivated their gardens and prayed in the now-ruined cloister. The Psiquiàtric holds remnants of this past. You can still see the old gardens and the haunting beauty of the ruined cloister. The church, once a center of spiritual life, is now part of the hospital complex. This area, less than a half-hour walk from the city center, feels like another world. It possesses an aura of tranquility and a dreamlike quality, distinct from the energy of Palma. The Psiquiàtric is at the heart of a “zone zero,” an area marked by a peculiar melancholy and the remnants of a bygone era. Nearby lies the cemetery, a stark reminder of life’s fragility. Across from it is a recently constructed park. This park, built on the site of a former fairground, follows the path of Sa Riera, the torrent that crosses Palma. The intention was to revitalize the area. However, it hasn’t fully erased the melancholic air that pervades the Psiquiàtric and its surroundings. The area’s unique atmosphere is further amplified by the presence of the abandoned Luis Sitjar football stadium, where RCD Mallorca once played before moving to Son Moix. The old velodrome and the greyhound track extend this “zone zero” almost to the city’s affluent Paseo Mallorca. The Psiquiàtric is a beautiful place, offering a quiet refuge for those struggling with mental health challenges. It stands as a testament to the city’s layered history. The Psiquiàtric, with its peaceful grounds and echoes of the past, invites contemplation and offers a glimpse into a different side of Palma de Mallorca.