Palacio del Marqués de Santa Cruz, Madrid, Baroque palace in San Bernardino Street, Madrid, Spain
The Palacio del Marqués de Santa Cruz is a two-story urban mansion on San Bernardino Street featuring Tuscan columns at the entrance and a neoclassical facade. The building houses the Álvaro de Bazán Foundation and the family archives of the Marquisate of Santa Cruz.
The mansion was built in 1768 by architect Antonio Plo for the Count de Superunda and received its neoclassical redesign in 1774. The Marquis of Santa Cruz acquired it in the 19th century as a family residence.
The palace preserves the legacy of Admiral Álvaro de Bazán, the first Marquis of Santa Cruz, whose connection to Spanish maritime history is reflected throughout the building. Visitors can sense this naval heritage in the rooms and displayed objects.
Access to the palace is limited as it functions as a private foundation headquarters and is not regularly open to the public. Check in advance for any visiting opportunities or guided tour possibilities.
The chapel within the palace still bears bullet holes from the Spanish Civil War, serving as quiet reminders of this turbulent period. These visible marks make the conflicts of the 20th century tangible to visitors.
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