Palacio de los Duque de Estrada, Medieval mansion in Llanes, Spain.
The Palacio de los Duque de Estrada is a former mansion featuring a baroque facade with two square tower volumes and intricate architectural details. The structure incorporates an 11th-century tower called Aguilar de San Jorge, which survives from an earlier fortified building.
The building originated as a fortification in the 11th century and underwent significant remodeling in the 18th century under Count Vega del Sella. A devastating fire in 1809 during the Spanish Independence War destroyed the structure, leaving it in ruins ever since.
The residence belonged to Juan Duque de Estrada, a knight who served as ambassador for the Catholic Monarchs to Pope Innocent VII. The family held significant power in Asturian society for generations.
The palace is only visible from the outside today, as the building is heavily damaged and in a dangerous condition. It is advisable to view the site from the exterior and avoid getting too close to the unstable structure.
Two conflicting accounts explain the 1809 fire: French troops under General Bonet or local residents retaliating against the family's French sympathies. This uncertainty about the true cause remains a mystery in local history.
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