“A palace within a house?” someone whispers, their eyes widening. That sums up the Casa-palacio del Marqués de Viluma. It is a Madrid marvel. We are standing before a testament to architectural evolution. Its story is etched in its walls.
The Casa-palacio del Marqués de Viluma stands on San Lucas Street number 4. It also fronts Luis de Góngora Street at number 8. Jerónimo de la Gándara designed this palacete. Construction finished in 1857. He was also involved in the Teatro Real project. The Casa-palacio del Marqués de Viluma underwent a significant renovation in 1934. Joaquín Saldaña oversaw this transformation.
The Casa-palacio del Marqués de Viluma presents a rectangular layout across three stories. The main facade faces San Lucas Street. Its style evokes classical influences. Symmetrically placed windows adorn the facade. These openings feature subtle canopies. The top floor is shorter and displays a stucco decoration. It imitates fluted columns.
Inside the Casa-palacio del Marqués de Viluma, the layout revolves around a central staircase. A gallery links the salons at either end. Toward the building’s core, a living space opens onto a well-maintained garden. Large palm trees thrive there.
Originally, the salons of the Casa-palacio del Marqués de Viluma showcased a significant art collection. Imagine the walls adorned with paintings. The II Marquis of Viluma, Manuel de la Pedrezuela y Ceballos, passed away in Madrid in 1872. He once called this place home.
In the 1950s, Duarte Pinto-Coelho, a Portuguese decorator, left his mark on the Casa-palacio del Marqués de Viluma. He became sought after by the aristocracy. Coco Chanel and Truman Capote were among his clients. Even the emeritus kings Juan Carlos and Sofía engaged his services. Pinto-Coelho embraced maximalism and historical opulence. His fame extended internationally.
Subastas Segre put hundreds of items from within the palacete on sale. A virtual tour of the residence was also available. The auction included decorative art treasures. Furniture, silver objects, and porcelain were up for bid. Antique paintings, sculptures, and lamps were part of the sale. Clocks and books also found new owners.
One could bid on an etching from Francisco de Goya’s Los Caprichos series. Its starting price was 250 euros. Valuable tapestries from the 16th and 17th centuries were auctioned off. Their initial prices ranged from 6,000 to 15,000 euros. Carpets from the Royal Tapestry Factory of Madrid were available. Sofas and side tables in the Isabelino style were also for sale.
Valuable documents were also for sale. These included two executive letters from the 16th century on parchment. Paintings by the Mallorcan artist Pedro Onofre Cotto Ferrer went up for auction. Table clocks in various styles attracted interest too.
More accessible decorative items were also available. These included curtain sets, a collection of hippopotamus decorations, and a porcelain fountain from Sèvres. Mirrors, lamps, silver objects, and crystal pieces completed the collection. The palace of the Marquis de Viluma offered unique pieces. They spanned various historical periods.
The Casa-palacio del Marqués de Viluma is a captivating blend of history and art. It is more than just a building. It is a canvas where architecture, design, and collecting converge. Its walls whisper stories of noble residents. They also speak of artistic visions. As we move on, remember the Casa-palacio del Marqués de Viluma. It stands as a reminder of Madrid’s rich cultural tapestry.