Palacio Unanue, Palace in San Vicente de Cañete, Peru

Palacio Unanue, also called Castillo Unanue, is a residence of eclectic style built of quincha on a pre-Hispanic huaca at km 146 of the old Panamericana Sur, near San Vicente de Cañete. Its Moorish-influenced structure took nearly 60 years to finish, with stained glass, marble and bronze and iron doors imported from Italy. It also has tunnels and dungeons.

Construction started in 1840 under Jose Unanue on land previously owned by Spanish liberal Agustin de Landaburu. The project took roughly 60 years to complete, involving multiple building phases.

The palace blends Moorish design elements with European touches such as marble floors, stained glass windows, and bronze doors. This architectural mix shows the wealth and global connections of the family who lived here.

The castle stands at km 146 of the old Panamericana Sur, near San Vicente de Cañete. It has been uncared for since the 1969 agrarian reform, so there are no visitor services, opening hours or maintained paths; access and interior conditions depend on the owners and the state of the structure. Ask locally before travelling and expect a fragile, unrestored building.

José Unanue y de la Cuba began building the castle in the 1840s on top of a pre-Hispanic huaca, and the work took almost 60 years. In 1924 the unfinished structure served as Cañete's first prison. Since the 1969 agrarian reform, no one has maintained it, though it was declared a Historic Monument in 1972.