Palace of Linares

The Palace of Linares is a former aristocratic palace at Plaza de Cibeles in Madrid, Spain, combining baroque revival elements with marble, frescoes and rich stucco. The rooms spread across several floors with a Byzantine chapel space and a separate pavilion in the garden.

Construction began in 1877 as a residence for José de Murga, who had just been appointed Marqués de Linares, designed by architects Carlos Colubí and Adolfo Ombrecht. Completion took until the 1880s and the building stood empty for much of the 20th century before restoration.

Today the building serves as Casa de América and brings Latin America to Madrid through exhibitions, film series and readings. Visitors often experience concerts or lectures in the grand halls where Spanish and Latin American culture meet.

Guided tours start in the basement with an audiovisual introduction and then climb through salons furnished with original pieces and painted walls. The stairs are narrow and some areas lie higher, so comfortable footwear helps.

The garden holds a smaller pavilion called Casa de Muñeca with ornate facade details and its own floor plan that visitors often overlook. This side building shows the same love of decoration as the main house but feels more accessible and quieter.

Location: Madrid

Inception: 1877

Architects: Carlos Colubí, Adolf Ombrecht

Architectural style: baroque revival

Part of: Paseo del Prado and Buen Retiro, a landscape of Arts and Sciences

GPS coordinates: 40.41990,-3.69210

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:24