Palacio de Linares, Madrid

Palacio de Linares is the grand palace opening onto Plaza de Cibeles, and it now houses Casa de América. Its design is credited to Adolf Ombrecht, in a neobaroque style. Look at the palace façade as the setting for a remarkable change of purpose: this residence was closed and unused for nearly a century before reopening in 1992 after an extensive restoration.

The building occupies land once used by the Royal Granary, a storehouse created to help Madrid through possible shortages. Inside, the marble staircase linking the entresol with the noble floor is made from blocks of Carrara marble. The rooms were fitted with Gobelins tapestries, mythological ceiling paintings, exotic wood floors, French lamps, Chinese silk, and richly embroidered textiles.

In 1976, the palace received historic-artistic monument status, preventing its certain disappearance. Today, Casa de América uses the restored palace for exhibitions, discussions, presentations, conferences, and courses. The building also carries a darker story: local legend says the spirits of the marquises and their supposed daughter wander through its grand rooms, with the child singing songs and calling for her parents.