Palacio de Velarde, Baroque palace in Oviedo, Spain
Palacio de Velarde is a Baroque palace in Oviedo with three floors arranged around an interior courtyard supported by Tuscan columns forming arches on each side. The building now houses galleries from the Museum of Fine Arts of Asturias, integrating its architectural design with contemporary art display.
The palace was designed and built in the 18th century by Manuel Reguera González for Pedro Velarde, a city councilman, with its exterior completed in 1767. It represented the final major Baroque palace construction in Oviedo, closing an era of large-scale private architectural projects in the city.
The main facade on Santa Ana street displays worked masonry with columns framing the entrance and a classical balcony topped with a coat of arms. This heraldic shield marks the architect's signature and reflects the owner's social status in Oviedo society.
The building is open to visitors as it houses galleries from the regional art museum, allowing you to explore both its architectural features and art collections in one visit. You can walk through the interior courtyard and view the supporting columns and arches that structure the space while enjoying the artwork on display.
The construction expenses were so substantial that they nearly bankrupted the Velarde family and burdened the household for decades afterward. This financial strain made it the last grand private palace project in Oviedo, as later wealthy families avoided such costly undertakings.
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