Palace of the Infante Don Luis

The Palacio del Infante Don Luis, located in Boadilla del Monte, near Madrid, is a splendid example of 18th-century palatial architecture. Commissioned by Infante Don Luis de Borbón y Farnesio, younger brother of King Carlos III, the palace was built between 1763 and 1765 according to the design of architect Ventura Rodríguez. This majestic building is an emblem of late Spanish baroque, characterized by elegance and functionality, immersed in a landscape of extraordinary beauty. Infante Don Luis, a prominent figure in the Bourbon court, decided to transform the existing residence, known as the Palace of the Two Towers, into a home worthy of his position. Rodríguez’s project integrated the existing elements into a new harmonious structure, with particular attention to detail and symmetry. The main facade of the palace is characterized by a sober elegance, with Tuscan columns and a balcony decorated with Ionic columns and a semicircular pediment. The palace has an elongated rectangular plan, with a main facade facing northwest and a rear facade overlooking the gardens to the southeast. The building is divided into three main bodies, each with three floors, with two secondary single-story bodies flanking the sides. The turrets at the roof corners, reminiscent of the original structure of the Two Towers, add a touch of verticality to the construction. Inside, the Palacio del Infante Don Luis is equally impressive. The richly decorated chapel is one of the most significant spaces in the palace, with Corinthian motifs, precious marbles, bronzes, and stuccoes. Among its decorative elements are garlands, angels, grape clusters, and flowers, adorning arches, pendentives, and vaults. The chapel houses the pantheon of Maria Teresa de Borbón y Vallabriga, the second daughter of Infante Don Luis, and other illustrious family members. The palace was inhabited by several important personalities, including the renowned composer Luigi Boccherini, who lived there under the Infante’s protection. Over the years, the residence witnessed numerous historical and artistic events, until during the Spanish Civil War, it was used as a military headquarters and hospital, suffering considerable damage. In 1974, the Palacio del Infante Don Luis, along with its gardens and the fountain by Ventura Rodríguez, was declared a National Monument. Subsequently, in 1998, the property was acquired by the Municipality of Boadilla del Monte, which initiated a significant restoration project to restore the palace to its former glory. The restoration, carried out in multiple phases, included the recovery of the facades, the chapel, the entrance hall, and the music room, as well as the redevelopment of the terraced gardens and perimeter walls. These works, funded by the Municipality of Boadilla, the Community of Madrid, the European Union, and Santander Bank, have made this important historical and cultural heritage accessible once again. The palace gardens, designed in the style of Italian gardens, are a true landscape gem. The fountain by Ventura Rodríguez, the pond, and the water wheel add charm to this green space, which was restored and reopened to the public in 2019. These gardens not only offer a tranquil and picturesque retreat but also represent an area of great historical and artistic interest.