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The Museo Cerralbo Who Was the Famous 17th Marquis

Introduction
Marquis of Cerralbo

cerralbo madrid office deskJust a few steps from 🔗 Plaza de España towards the 🔗 Temple of Debod, a 19th-century palace stands, once owned by the Marquis Enrique de Agilera y Gamboa, the 17th Marquis of Cerralbo (1845-1922). That is the Cerralbo Museum, an extraordinary place that is a combination of passion, splendor, and lifestyle of the former owners. Marquis of Cerralbo came from a very wealthy family. His surname dates to the 14th century, and in 1533 his ancestors received the title of marquis from Emperor Charles I. After his father’s death, Enrique inherited the title of Count of Villalobos, and upon his grandfather’s passing, he became the Marquis of Cerralbo. Enrique’s patrimony was one of the highest among the Spanish nobility, ensuring him a life of wealth. Additionally, he further multiplied his fortune through marriage, stock market investments, and involvement in the railway industry, which allowed him to acquire new estates in Madrid, Santa María de Huerta, and Monroy. According to historical sources, his wealth in 1876 was estimated at 21 million reales. The Marquis was a Carlist politician, but above all a traveler, historian, and enthusiast of archaeology.cerralbo-columns-madrid

The palace

To house the objects, he collected while pursuing his passions, he commissioned the construction of this impressive building. The palace was built between 1883 and 1893, following the Marquis’s guidelines, by architects Alejandro Sureda, Luisa Cabello y Asó, and Luisa Cabello Lapiedra. Admittedly, the palace does not resemble a typical house of a wealthy aristocrat, but that was also the purpose of its architecture. Given the Marquis’s extensive travels, the palace served as both a gallery for his collections and a venue for hosting gatherings. The cerralbo staircase madridMarquis was aware of the historical value of his collection, so after his death he bequeathed most of the archaeological exhibits to the National Archaeological Museum of Madrid and the rest of his collection, including the palace, to the state. The Cerralbo Museum was founded in 1944 and is a unique place because of allcerralbo madrid ballroom the original décor preserved there. The palace stands as a testament to this fascinating history, offering visitors a glimpse into the grandeur and elegance of a bygone era.

Visit

The palace is divided into two parts: the summer wing and the winter wing, with a richly decorated staircase separating them. Large rooms were designed to house the most important collections, while smaller rooms served daily life. The grand ballroom completes the ensemble. Within the palace, there are no empty spaces to be found—every corridor and every room is filled with exhibits. There are over 50,000 items there, including sculptures, weapons, porcelain, and paintings. Additionally, the palace boasts exquisite furniture, including the Marquis’s desk, clocks with hidden mechanisms, and water fountains in the billiard room. Interestingly, on the central upper floor, you’ll find a bathroom with a marble bathtub. While this might seem surprising in today’s context, during the late 19th and early 20th centuries in Madrid, it was a room worthy of display. The palace can be glimpsed in the films below, although they only partially capture the atmosphere of this place. To truly experience it, you must step inside, surround yourself with the Marquis’s belongings, and get carried away by the opulent aristocratic ambiance of the early 20th century.


Planner

Tickets: at the box office, free on Thu and Sun, and for kids up to 18, seniors 65+, Large Family Card Holders (EU)

Cerralbo Museum
Tuesday
09:30 AM – 03:00 PM
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