The construction of luxurious residences with which to display their wealth and power is something that has obsessed kings, nobles and bishops throughout history. So being a traditionally monarchical country, in Spain we have an extensive palatial heritage that Disney already wanted for its princess movies.
Royal Palace of Aranjuez (Madrid)
History and beauty fill every corner of this enclave that is part of the Cultural Landscape of Aranjuez and has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Surrounded by a total of 111.23 hectares of gardens that can be visited and located in a fertile plain at the confluence of the Tagus and the Jarama, the Royal Palace of Aranjuez has been the quintessential country residence of the Spanish Kings.
Magdalena Palace (Santander)
Built at the beginning of the 20th century, this royal palace of eclectic style crown (never better said) the Bay of Santander. He was one of the favorites of the monarch Alfonso XIII, who spent the summers there with his family. The construction of the palace and the predilection of the king made the city become summer resort for the Spanish upper class during the first decades of that century.
Palace of San Telmo (Seville)
The San Telmo Palace was built between the 17th and 18th centuries to house a sailors’ college (attended by the famous poet Gustavo Adolfo Bequer), However, it is currently the seat of the Presidency of the Junta de Andalucía.
Royal Palace of the Granja de San Ildefonso (Segovia)
The Royal Site of La Granja de San Ildefonso, declared a Historical Monument, is one of the best examples of the monarchical splendor of the 18th century. Felipe V, the first Bourbon who reigned in Spain, fell in love with this beautiful place back in 1717. Such was the “crush” that he decided to build there a palace and gardens adorned with sculptures and fountains that will remind him of his childhood in the French court of his grandfather Louis XIV. It was his great personal work, he had found the ideal place to retire from the world…
Gaudí Palace in Astorga (León)
On December 23, 1886, the original palace of the diocese of Astorga caught fire. As the position of diocesan architect for the construction of the new palace is vacant, Bishop Grau proposes to his countryman Antonio Gaudí and Cornet who took charge of the works from 1889 to 1893. The result is a neo-Gothic style building, built with granite from Bierzo, with the features of a castle, a temple and a stately mansion, surrounded by a moat. It consists of four facades flanked by four towers. The main and rear, with their pointed windows, give the building the character of a Gothic temple.
Larrinaga Palace (Zaragoza)
The Palacio de Larrinaga is a building from the beginning of the 20th century located in the urban area of Zaragoza. Is he best example of eclecticism and in its decoration you can see shipping and maritime motifs in allusion to Larrinaga’s profession. The palace was commissioned by the Biscayan shipowner to the architect Félix Navarro in 1901, one of the most prestigious of the time. It was built as a token of gratitude for the unconditional support of his wife and as a token of her love. Villa Asunción, in the direction of Albalate, had the objective of being enjoyed together in retirement. But the woman became ill and died first, and the palace was put up for sale without ever having been inhabited.
Royal Palace (Madrid)
The Royal Palace of Madrid is the largest in Western Europe and one of the largest in the world. Its more than 135,000 square meters and 3,418 rooms have witnessed centuries of Spanish history. It is one of the few official residences of Heads of State that is open to the public. Almost 2 million visitors come each year to discover its corners, its works of art and its unique treasures in the world.
Palace of the Infantado (Guadalajara)
Qualified as “One of a Kind” by those authors who have dealt with it, pointing it out as a peculiar example of universal art, the Palacio del Infantado was built by the architect Juan Guas and the carver Egas Coeman at the request of the II Duke of the Infantado around 1480. It is a mix between palace and strength and various artistic styles. In this building we can already see the germ of the aesthetics of humanist thought in Spain. Specifically, Duke Íñigo de Mendoza, who he had it erected as a sign of his power and position. Everything in the building exudes splendor, from its façade to the interior decorations.
Palace of Comares and Los Leones (Granada)
The Nasrid Palaces (Comares and Los Leones) located inside the Alhambra are one of the wonders of the world. Cin their patios and gardens It managed to impress the Catholic Monarchs so much that they established their residence here after the conquest of the Nasrid kingdom of Granada.
Ducal Palace of Gandia (Valencia)
The Ducal Palace of Gandia is one of the most important monuments in the city. It is an important example of a Valencian civil Gothic palace. The Patio de Armas and the Golden Gallery stand out, with original tiles from the time. It is considered one of the most important stately mansions of the Crown of Aragon. Francisco de Borja’s room is preserved practically as it was back then and it is not allowed to step on it, it can only be seen from outside.
Cover photo | Palaciodegaudi.es