Llano Ponte Palace, Baroque palace in Plaza de España, Avilés, Spain
Llano Ponte Palace is a two-story stone Baroque building located at Plaza de España, distinguished by five rounded arches on the ground floor. Matching balconies above feature family crests and stone rosettes as decorative elements.
Architect Francisco Menéndez Camina designed this palace in 1706 for Rodrigo García Pumarino, a merchant who made his wealth through maritime trade in Peru. The building reflects the naval and commercial ties that shaped Avilés during the early 18th century.
The palace served as a cinema called Martha and Mary from 1949, taking its name from a novel by local author Armando Palacio Valdés. This literary connection shows how the building became woven into the cultural life of Avilés over many decades.
The building now functions as a restaurant while maintaining its original baroque facade, with the interior adapted for modern dining. Visitors can appreciate the architecture from the outside or dine inside and experience the historic details while enjoying a meal.
The palace's five rounded arches echo a design element found on the town hall in Avilés, suggesting a dialogue between public and private architecture of that era. This shared motif connects the private residence to the broader architectural language of the city.
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