Origins and History of Liria Palace
Liria Palace serves as the official residence of the House of Alba. It remains the only palace in Madrid that continues to function as a private residence. The construction of the building took place between 1767 and 1785. The project was commissioned by the 3rd Duke of Berwick and Liria, Don Jacobo Fitz-James Stuart and Columbus.
The history of the site is tied to the lineage of the Dukes of Berwick and Alba. Over 500 years, these dukes gathered the art collection that now occupies the palace. This accumulation of works reflects centuries of continuous patronage by the family.
The Building and its Neoclassical Architecture
The Liria Palace represents a significant achievement of Neoclassical architecture in Madrid. The initial direction of construction was assigned to the French architect Louis Guilbert. Following this stage, the Spanish architect Ventura Rodríguez provided the architectural completion, establishing the building's rational and symmetrical character. The final completion of the structure was handled by Blas Beltrán Rodríguez. The interior is organized in a rectangular, elongated, and compact manner.
The exterior grounds are divided into two distinct environments. The front garden follows the English romantic style, featuring a central meadow and a variety of trees including magnolia, cedar, chestnut, yew, and cypress. The rear garden underwent a redesign in 1916 by Jean-Claude Nicolas Forestier, which introduced a classicist imprint to the space. This area includes a central fountain and various groves.
The Impressive Art Collection
The collection gathered by the Dukes of Berwick and Alba over five centuries comprises paintings, sculpture, engravings, furniture, and decorative arts. These objects are housed within the private residence of the House of Alba. The assembly includes significant historical documents and books that reflect centuries of patronage. Among these are the last will and testament of King Ferdinand II of Aragón and a collection of letters by Christopher Columbus.
The library holds a first edition of Don Quixote from 1605. Another significant volume is the Alba Bible, which represents one of the first Spanish translations of the Old Testament. These items are part of a wider selection of books and documents kept within the palace archives.
The collection also features various works by several notable artists, including:
- Saint Dominic of Guzmán, about 1650 - Francisco de Zurbarán
- Duchess of Alba, The White Duchess, 1795 - Francisco Goya
- Charles V and the Empress Isabella - Peter Paul Rubens
- Infanta Margarita 2 - Diego Velázquez
- María Francisca de Sales Portocarrero, 16th Duchess of Peñaranda, 1854 - Franz Xaver Winterhalter
- Mars and Venus, 1595 - Lavinia Fontana
Masterpieces of the Collection
The collection contains significant portraiture that traces the lineage of the House of Alba. Francisco Goya’s portrait of the Duchess of Alba, also known as The White Duchess (1795), is a central work. Other notable portraits include depictions of the Grand Duke of Alba by Titian and Rubens. Peter Paul Rubens contributed Charles V and the Empress Isabella to the holdings. In the mid-19th century, Franz Xaver Winterhalter painted María Francisca de Sales Portocarrero, the 16th Duchess of Peñaranda, in 1854.
Religious and courtly subjects are represented through works by several Spanish and European masters. Francisco de Zurbarán’s Saint Dominic of Guzmán, painted about 1650, is a key piece of the assembly. The presence of Diego Velázquez is felt through his depiction of Infanta Margarita 2. The collection also includes works by El Greco and additional paintings by Zurbarán. These pieces are held within the private residence of the House of Alba, which has gathered these works over 500 years.