Palacio de los Marqueses de Villadarias, 18th-century palace in Antequera, Spain
The Palacio de los Marqueses de Villadarias is an 18th-century palace in Antequera, Spain. Its three-story facade features six window bays and a central monumental doorway in red limestone from El Torcal, while the interior holds a square courtyard with twelve Tuscan columns supporting brick arches, accessed through a grand staircase beneath an elliptical vault.
Construction began in 1711 under Francisco del Castillo y Fajardo, the second Marquis of Villadarias, establishing his family's residence in Antequera. The building became a symbol of the family's influence and status during a period of growth in the region.
Stone cylinders and chains at the entrance mark a royal visit from 1730. These ornaments reveal how significant that moment was for the family who built and owned this place.
The palace remains closed to public visits, but you can view the exterior from Calle Lucena in central Antequera. Walking along this central street gives you a clear view of the impressive facade.
The interior features a square courtyard dominated by a grand staircase beneath an elliptical vault, an unexpected architectural solution for a residence. This arrangement creates a striking spatial experience that the plain exterior does not hint at.
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