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Palace of Villena

Cadalso de los Vidrios, Sierra Oeste, Madrid

1 Villages · 5 Monuments · 1 Nature · 2 Curiosities · 1 Historical milestones · 2 Food and drink

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Palace of Villena

Monument · Cadalso de los Vidrios, Sierra Oeste, Madrid

A palace in Cadalso de los Vidrios, at the south-western edge of the Community of Madrid, built as a summer retreat by Álvaro de Luna, constable of Castile and favourite of John II, in the first half of the 15th century. It took its name from its next owner, Juan Pacheco, marquess of Villena, who benefited from Álvaro de Luna's fall from grace. It is rectangular in plan, of granite ashlar and fortified appearance, with machicolations and battlements, while its south façade, with Renaissance arcading, was added in later refurbishments. Luis María de Borbón, grandson of Philip V and future archbishop of Toledo, was born here in 1777. Declared a Monumento histórico-artístico (a former Spanish heritage-protection designation) on 3 June 1931, it retains a 16th-century garden around a large pond.

Photo: Dirección General de Turismo. Consejería de Economía e Innovación Tecnológica. Comunidad de Madrid. (CC BY 3.0 es)

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