Sculptural Wall of Vida de las Palmeras

In southern Spain, stretching nearly 900 feet, this elaborately decorated wall only hints at what might be behind it. But since the property is private, it’s up to unsuspecting drivers to call on their imaginations to make sense of the imagery: of ancient Egypt, a jaunty ship, world continents, the phases of the moon, and expressionistic palm trees.

Looking past the fine artistry and sheer extent of the boundary wall, there is one hint offered up in an azure blue plaque that tells at least part of the story. The blazing white stucco, topped by hand-painted tiles and laid in with sharp black reliefs of cut steel, forms a retaining wall for a large estate called Vida de las Palmeras. It’s owned by a local toy manufacturer who commissioned the work in 2004.

The key is in the estate’s name: Noting that the palm represents things such as beauty, vacations, love, and freedom, the owner’s words on the elegant plaque serve as his reminder of the paradise that the exotic trees symbolize. 

Local lore has it that the estate behind the convoluted wall is a favorite spot for the King of Spain to unwind in private. This may or may not be true (some British Ex-Pats in the area have claimed so), but there is an effective security barrier on the hillside opposite the wall, which might be aimed at preventing people getting a bird’s eye view over the top. Or what you might see by climbing up one of the palm trees.