Casa Palacio de los Señores De la Chica

Casa Palacio de los Señores De la Chica is a historic palace in the heart of Mengíbar, a small town in the province of Jaén, right in the middle of Andalusia's Campiña region. The building stands on Plaza de la Constitución, next to the medieval Torre del Homenaje, the parish church of San Pedro Apóstol, and the town hall — a spot that has served as the town's administrative and religious center for centuries.

How do you get there?

Mengíbar sits in Jaén province along the main roads connecting the cities of Jaén and Córdoba, so driving from either takes roughly 30–40 minutes. Regional buses also run from Jaén to Mengíbar. The palace itself stands in the town center among other landmarks, so once you arrive in Mengíbar, a short walk through the old town is all it takes to reach the square in front of the building.

What will you see?

The most striking feature of the facade is the arched entrance leading into an inner, porticoed courtyard — a layout typical of Andalusian noble palaces. Above the arch sit two heraldic shields: on the left, the coat of arms of the Ponce de León family; on the right, that of the Counts of Garcíez, since the fourth count of that line was also Lord of Mengíbar. Together, the two crests sum up centuries of changing ownership in a single glance.

The building's history runs much deeper than its facade suggests. The earliest remains on the site date back to the Islamic period, between the years 800 and 1225. A second phase corresponds to the medieval Christian period (1225–1489), when the building served as the residence of the Lord of Mengíbar and ruler of Jaén, Pedro Méndez de Sotomayor, and later his great-grandson, Fernando Ibáñez de Barrionuevo y Mendoza. From the 16th century onward the palace belonged to the Ponce de León family, and in 1880 it was purchased by the De la Chica family, whose name the building still carries today. In 1904 the De la Chica family became linked by marriage to the Cassinelo family.

In 2017 the town council acquired the property and carried out its restoration. The historic interiors now house a four-star hotel, so visitors can not only admire the architecture from outside but also spend the night inside a former noble residence.

When should you visit?

Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–October) are the best times to visit, when temperatures across the Jaén Campiña stay moderate and summer heat hasn't set in yet. Summers in this part of Andalusia can get very hot, so it's worth planning a walk through the old town for the morning or evening hours. Winters are cool but calm, which makes for quiet sightseeing without crowds.

How much time should you set aside?

Viewing the building from outside takes about 20–30 minutes, but it's worth pairing the visit with the neighboring Torre del Homenaje and the church of San Pedro Apóstol — together, about 1.5–2 hours is enough for a relaxed walk through Mengíbar's historic center.

Frequently asked questions

Can you go inside the palace? The building now operates as a hotel, so interior access is mainly reserved for guests. The facade, entrance portal, and courtyard can still be seen by anyone passing through.

What do the shields on the facade mean? The left shield belongs to the Ponce de León family, who owned the palace from the 16th century, and the right one to the Counts of Garcíez, since the fourth count of that title was also Lord of Mengíbar.

Are there other landmarks nearby? Yes — the palace stands right next to the Torre del Homenaje, the parish church of San Pedro Apóstol, and the town hall, all part of Mengíbar's historic-artistic ensemble.

Where does the name "De la Chica" come from? From the De la Chica family, who bought the palace in 1880; their surname has remained part of the building's name ever since.