Fontalba Palace

Fontalba Palace is a residential building in Madrid's Almagro district, designed with three floors plus a semi-basement level. It centers around a large interior courtyard covered with glass, which brings natural light throughout the connected interior spaces.

Architect José María Mendoza Ussía designed this residence in 1911 for Francisco de Cubas y Erice, the second Marquis of Fontalba. The building was eventually converted to serve government purposes rather than as a private home.

The palace shows how wealthy Madrid families lived and entertained in the early 1900s, with spaces designed for formal gatherings and social events. The interior layout with a central courtyard reflects the period's preference for elegant, inward-facing living spaces.

The building is located at Calle Fortuny 4 in central Madrid and is accessible by public transport if you are exploring the area. Since it serves as a government office today, check in advance whether visits are permitted or if you can only view it from the street.

The palace features an innovative glass roof over its interior courtyard, which was a relatively modern construction technique when built in 1911. This solution was unusual for private homes at the time and shows the owner's interest in progressive architectural ideas.