Casa del Bosque, Buitrago del Lozoya

Casa del Bosque is a Renaissance noble residence whose structure combines stone and brick construction with a central circular rotunda standing among partially collapsed walls. The building extends across multiple levels, with the interior rotunda forming the main structure while surrounding rooms remain fragmented today.

The structure was built between 1514 and 1520 with further construction between 1596 and 1600 under the patronage of the fifth Duke of Infantado. These building phases show how the site functioned as a hunting estate across nearly a century, undergoing different architectural developments.

The building displays Italian architectural style, particularly in its distinctive covered interior rotunda that echoes villas from the Veneto region. This design choice was favored by nobility who valued contemporary ideas imported from Italy.

The site is located in a rural area outside Buitrago del Lozoya town and accessed via Senda de las Garinas, a local walking route. Visitors should prepare for uneven ground and limited access, as the ruins present challenges for those with mobility issues.

The central circular structure, originally serving as a chapel, remains the best preserved element of the entire complex. This religious function was typical for noble residences of the period and shows how private devotion was integrated into living architecture.