Castillo Rospigliosi, Gothic palace in Santa Beatriz, Lima, Peru.
Castillo Rospigliosi is a Gothic Revival palace in Santa Beatriz built with a symmetrical front facade, pointed arches, and decorative stonework inspired by medieval European architecture. The structure occupies a prominent position in the district and contains interior spaces that now house the Air War Academy and its aeronautical collections.
The palace was constructed in 1929 during the government of Augusto B. Leguía by Carlos Rospigliosi Vigil, a physician descended from an Italian family. Its construction took place during a period when Lima was rapidly modernizing and incorporating European architectural styles into the city.
The palace is named after Carlos Rospigliosi Vigil, a Peruvian physician and public figure who commissioned it as his residence. Today visitors can view art collections and objects related to Peru's aviation pioneers and the early history of flight in the country.
The building is located on Manuel del Pino Street in the Santa Beatriz district and operates as the headquarters of the Air War Academy, with portions open to visitors. It is advisable to check visiting hours in advance since it functions as a military institution with restricted access to certain areas.
The original designs included a moat and drawbridge because a visit from Spanish King Alfonso XIII was anticipated, though the visit never occurred. These unrealized defensive features reveal the ambitious character of the initial design and the European aspirations of its builders.
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