After 120 years of closure, under the shadow of supposed ghosts, it opens its doors to the public, do you want to come in with us?

For more than 120 years its been shut to curious eyes. Its inner houses, besides Casa de América’s headquarters, a history partly hidden, partly reserved, nourished always by popular legends, back chat about ghosts and strange noices, according to some rumours, coming from the afterlife.

On June the 17th, an old promise was kept: the opening to the public of the ins and outs, corridors and lounges of this building. Its erection started on 1860, on one of the most demanded grounds in Madrid at that times to turn into the principal residence of marquis and marquess of Linares.

Cibeles goddess statue has an architectural front view, where the Caribean States, Central and South America flags flutter, as well as the Portuguese and the Spanish ones. Behind this institutional colourful showcase, the clean architecture building walls rise, due to architects Carlos Colubí, Adolf Ombrecht and Manuel Aníbal work.

The frenchy outside offsets the inners, characterized by the Baroque and Renaissance style, with some ligth oriental raps. Sumptuous staircases and wide covered balconies articulate an unusual layout, full of lounges, about ten, three large living rooms, a full dress dining room, dressing rooms, a chapel and a greenhouse.

And no, we didn’t forget the kitchen: there’s no at the palace. That’s because the original owners had a daily food delivery service engaged with a prestigious restaurant located close to Recoletos Avenue.

Is the marquis talking

Probably you’ve heard about a curse that caused real impression on the inhabitants daily work. A legend sais the marquis wife was really his sister. Therefore, Vatican issued a papal bull that imposed the marquis and the marquess not to have any contact, so she would be forced to live on the second floor while he lived on the first floor.

Only lies… Current Marquis of Linares, Antonio Martín de Santiago-Concha, azures tose are speculations, together with the legend that tells the marquess’ granddaughter turned into a ghost and now wanders around the building. The marquis himself asked his grandfather, when he was eight years old, whether the legend was true; but everything was a sham.

However, the truth is this building is uncomfortable to live in, because of its structure , its spaciousness… That is why Santiago-Cocha thinks it’s a great idea let people know the palace at its inside, to disclose all its art as a museum.

Booking, essencial requirement

The visitors who get a reservation will enjoy of an interesting guided tour of an hour long. In that time, they will be shown some details and telled stories and curiosities, beyond those mystic and sensationalist rumours.

Ask the guide for the façade, that served for some Patrimonio Nacional (National Heritage), by Luis García Berlanga, scenes. Ask yourself about the 25 chimneis and the history of the splendid marbled staircases, coming from Carraca and made by Jerónimo Suñol.