Palacio Viejo de la Reina María Cristina de Borbón, Royal palace in Puerta Bonita, Madrid, Spain
The Palacio Viejo de la Reina María Cristina de Borbón is a royal palace in Puerta Bonita, Madrid, with a rectangular layout organized into five sections. A portico with Doric columns leads to a spacious entrance hall and a mahogany staircase inside.
The building was originally constructed as a public casino by Colonel Pablo Cabrero. It underwent major renovations when Queen María Cristina de Borbón acquired it, and later needed repairs after suffering damage during the Civil War.
The rooms display ornate painted ceilings and decorative details from a time of wealth and power. A large greenhouse screens the hidden gardens from street views.
The building now houses a regional teacher training center called Las Acacias, which has operated since 2001. Visitors should check the center's opening hours and visiting conditions in advance before planning a tour.
The building connects to the neighboring Bellavista house through a columned passageway that was added during post-Civil War reconstruction efforts. This passage reveals how the palace was restored and expanded during the years following the conflict.
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