Linares Palace stands on Plaza de Cibeles in Madrid and houses Casa de América, a cultural institution focused on ties between Spain and Latin America. Built for the Marquis and Marchioness of Linares between 1877 and 1900, the former residence blends Neo-Mudejar design with Gothic and Renaissance details. Guided visits take you through richly decorated rooms, including notable spaces on the second floor, and introduce the palace’s history and ghost stories. Tours are conducted in Spanish, with bilingual visits reported when non-Spanish speakers are present.
A palace built for the Linares family
José de Murga y Reolid, the Marquis of Linares, and his wife, Raimunda Osorio y Ortega, commissioned the palace. Construction ran from 1877 to 1900. The building is a former noble residence and one of Madrid’s notable examples of Neo-Mudejar architecture.
Its decorative scheme combines Mudejar elements with Gothic and Renaissance influences. Look closely at the changes in style as you move through the rooms; the palace’s ornament is part of what makes the guided visit engaging.
Casa de América and the palace garden
The palace is now home to Casa de América, a public cultural institution that works to strengthen connections between Spain and Latin America. Its activities also include cultural and business events, so the building has a role beyond its history as a family residence.
Outside, the palace garden has a romantic design and an irregular layout. It includes a small cottage, and the garden becomes a terrace in spring and summer.
Guided visits and palace legends
The interior is seen on a guided visit rather than a self-guided walk. The tour covers the palace’s history and its decorated rooms, with the second-floor spaces among the highlights. Accounts of the visit describe a duration of about 50 minutes.
The palace is also associated with stories about the family and a child’s ghost. Guides weave these legends into the visit alongside the history of the house. Tours are conducted in Spanish; a bilingual format has been reported when visitors who do not speak Spanish are present. Photography is prohibited inside.
Häufige Fragen
Can you visit Linares Palace without a guided tour?
The palace interior is visited by guided tour. Outside an event, a tour is the stated way to see inside.
How long does a visit take?
A guided visit takes about 50 minutes.
Are tours at Linares Palace in English?
Tours are conducted in Spanish. A bilingual visit has been reported when non-Spanish speakers are in the group.
Can you take photos inside Linares Palace?
No. Photography is not allowed inside the palace.
