Palace of the Senate, Parliament building in Palacio district, Madrid, Spain
The Palace of the Senate is an architecturally distinctive building located in Madrid's Palacio neighborhood that houses the Spanish upper legislative chamber. The structure spans multiple levels and displays design characteristics typical of Herrerian architecture throughout its layout.
The building began as an Augustinian educational institution in the late 1500s but underwent major transformation in the early 1800s when it became a legislative seat. This shift from religious school to political function defined its role thereafter.
The Senate serves as home to one of Spain's main legislative chambers and shapes how the nation's political life unfolds in this district. Visitors notice the formal atmosphere and security presence that make clear this is a place where important decisions happen.
The building is centrally located in Madrid with good access via public transportation and nearby metro stations serving the area. Visiting requires advance planning since it functions as an active government building with restricted access protocols.
A chapel within the original school structure once held paintings by El Greco, which were later moved to the Prado Museum's permanent collection. These artworks remain connected to the site's earlier spiritual purpose despite the building's modern governmental use.
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