Palacio del Marqués de la Sonora, 18th-century palace in central Málaga, Spain
Palacio del Marqués de la Sonora is an 18th-century palace featuring a marble entrance hall with Tuscan columns, decorative pilasters, and ornamental garland friezes across its facade. The building displays the refined architectural style typical of its era.
Built in 1789 under the influence of architect José Martín de Aldehuela, the palace originally served as a storage facility for playing cards and paper destined for trade with the New World. This initial purpose reflected the building's role in Malaga's commercial importance.
The palace served as a girls' school called La Minerva for much of the twentieth century, shaping the local community's everyday life. This role gave the building deep roots in the neighborhood as a place where generations of families gathered.
The palace is located on Granada Street in central Malaga near Santiago Apóstol Church and Plaza de la Merced, making it easy to reach on foot. Its central position allows you to combine a visit with other nearby landmarks.
Archaeological excavations beneath the building revealed Roman remains that have shaped recent renovation plans for its conversion into a hotel. These underground findings add a hidden historical layer to the structure beyond what meets the eye on the surface.
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