Palace of San Telmo

The Palace of San Telmo, located in Seville, is one of the most representative Baroque buildings in the city and the entire Andalusia. Built starting from 1682, the palace initially served as the headquarters of the College-seminary of the University of Mareantes, an institution dedicated to the training of young orphans of sailors and future navigators. This function was maintained until 1847, when the building began to be used for various purposes, including the headquarters of the Sociedad del Ferrocarril and the Universidad Literaria. In 1849, the Palace of San Telmo was acquired by Antonio de Orleans and Luisa Fernanda of Bourbon, Dukes of Montpensier, who made it their official residence. The Dukes undertook a significant renovation and expansion of the palace, completing the north tower and building the eastern wing and the ballroom. These new spaces were decorated with golden stuccoes and frescoes, including those by the famous painter Rafael Tejeo. The palace, during this period, became a center of social and cultural life, hosting important events and personalities of the time. The main facade of the palace, completed in 1754, is a masterpiece of Spanish Baroque, characterized by the Churrigueresque style entrance, designed by Leonardo de Figueroa and completed by his descendants. This entrance, with its sculpted columns and allegorical statues representing the arts and nautical sciences, is surmounted by a statue of San Telmo, patron saint of sailors, flanked by the figures of San Fernando and Saint Hermenegild, patrons of Seville. In 1897, upon the death of Infanta Maria Luisa Fernanda, widow of the Duke of Montpensier, the palace was donated to the Archdiocese of Seville. The splendid gardens of the palace were given to the city and transformed into the Maria Luisa Park, one of the most beloved public parks in Seville. In 1901, under Archbishop Marcelo Spinola, the palace became a diocesan seminary, a function it maintained until 1989. Since 1991, the Palace of San Telmo has undergone a series of restorations to bring it back to its former glory and adapt it as the new seat of the Andalusian regional government. The interventions have allowed to rediscover and enhance the original architectural and decorative elements, often hidden or altered by previous renovations. Architect Guillermo Vázquez Consuegra led these works, focusing on the restoration of the interiors and the functional adaptation of the building. Today, the Palace of San Telmo houses the presidency of the Junta de Andalucía and represents an important symbol of Andalusian history and culture. Its strategic location along the Guadalquivir River, near the prestigious Hotel Alfonso XIII and the Maria Luisa Park, makes it a must-visit for those exploring Seville. The facade of the palace, with its sculptures of twelve illustrious Sevillians made by Antonio Susillo in 1895, is a celebration of the city’s rich cultural heritage. The chapel of the palace, dedicated to the Virgen del Buen Aire, is another artistic gem, with a single nave, a barrel vault, and five decorated altars. These include representations of Saint Thomas Aquinas, Saint Anthony, a crucified Christ, and Saint Joseph, reflecting the spiritual and artistic importance of the complex. The Palace of San Telmo has hosted significant events, such as the marriage proposal of King Alfonso XII to the daughter of the Dukes of Montpensier, Maria de las Mercedes, in 1877. This event, held in the majestic main hall of the palace, highlights the central role that the building has played in the royal and political history of Spain.