Les Carasses House

Les Carasses House stands in the old town of Palma de Mallorca, instantly recognizable for the grotesque carved faces covering its facade.

What will you see?

The building's name comes straight from its defining feature. In Mallorcan, "carasses" refers to stone or metal faces and masks once carved onto fountains and above doorways. Here, they appear in unusual abundance, covering the lintels of doors and windows and giving the whole facade an unsettling, theatrical quality.

The building's story centers on a Genoese lawyer named Pavesi, who came into possession of the house after winning a lawsuit. He commissioned the remodeling that gave the facade its monstrous masks, including one face sticking out its tongue — a detail many read as a mocking gesture aimed at neighbors or courtroom rivals. The entrance portal itself is crowned by a large face alongside a Latin inscription marking the owner's death in 1620. The inscription includes the word EUNDO, which can be translated as "leaving" or "going away" — a phrase with a clearly sardonic tone.

Art historians classify the decoration as Mannerist, and the building is considered one of Palma's only examples of architecture with Genoese roots. That makes it a genuine rarity among the old town's typical stone facades, which rarely carry this density of sculptural ornament.

Interestingly, the carved faces left a mark beyond the building itself: they gave their name to the street where the house stands, and according to local sources, they inspired the decoration on the facade of Palma's present-day city hall.

How do you get there?

The house sits within Palma's historic center, tucked into the dense network of old-town streets near the city's main civic buildings. Walking is by far the easiest way to reach it — the old town is compact and rewards exploring on foot rather than by car. A good starting point is La Seu cathedral or the square in front of the city hall, from which the house is just a few minutes away along narrow, historic streets.

It's worth building the visit into a longer walk through the old town, pairing it with nearby landmarks along the way. The facade is viewed from street level as part of a walking route rather than as a ticketed attraction.

When should you visit?

Early morning or late afternoon are the best times to walk Palma's old town, when the light brings out the sculptural detail on the facades and the narrow streets are quieter. Spring (April–May) and early autumn (September–October) offer mild weather ideal for wandering the historic center, without the summer heat and crowds typical of July and August.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name "Carasses" mean? It's a Mallorcan word for stone or metal faces and masks carved onto building facades and fountains — exactly the kind of decoration found on this house.

Who commissioned the facade's decoration? A Genoese lawyer named Pavesi, who took ownership of the building after winning a lawsuit and had it decorated with grotesque Mannerist-style masks.

What does the inscription above the entrance mean? The Latin inscription commemorates the owner's death in 1620 and includes the word EUNDO, interpreted as a mocking "leaving" or "going away."

Can you go inside the building? The house is viewed from the street as part of the old town's architecture — it's a facade to admire on a walk, not a paid attraction with an accessible interior.