Palacio de Villapanes

Palacio de Villapanes is a baroque mansion featuring a three-story facade with linear balconies and elaborate ironwork that typifies Spanish Baroque style. The structure comprises two connected buildings: the Casa Grande with its extended front and the Casa Chica with its decorative alcoves.

Construction began under Petronila Pavon, wife of the second Marquis of Villapanes, and was completed by her son Maria Panes Gonzalez de Quijano. The Casa Chica was added later in 1766 as a separate expansion with its own architectural features.

The red marble courtyard with its columned galleries reveals how the family displayed their wealth and status through architecture. Today it hosts the world's first specialized research program for flamenco, making it a center for studying this art form.

The palace is located in the center of Jerez de la Frontera and now serves as a university branch, which means visitor access is limited. It is best to inquire locally about visiting possibilities and hours, as availability varies depending on academic activities.

The Casa Chica contains niches with Archangel statues, a rare artistic addition to its 18th-century architecture. This religious imagery in a private residence was an unusual way for the family to express their faith.