Casa-palacio de Ricardo Augustín, Madrid

Casa-palacio de Ricardo Augustín is an eclectic palace-style townhouse standing at Plaza de Ramales 1, right in Madrid's Palacio district — just a short walk from the Royal Palace and the Almudena Cathedral. Its corner turret and symmetrical rows of balconies make it one of the more distinctive residential buildings from early 20th-century Madrid, and easy to spot if you know where to look.

Who built it, and when?

Construction ran from 1920 to 1922 under architect Cayo Redón Tapiz, commissioned by Ricardo Augustín, a businessman active in banking and real estate development — the building still carries his name. Rather than starting from an empty plot, the project involved a thorough remodeling of an existing residential building, upgrading it into a grand, palace-like townhouse.

What is there to see?

The building sits on a striking corner plot, with facades opening onto two streets — Calle de Vergara and Calle de la Amnistía — as well as onto Plaza de Ramales itself. The architect made the most of this position by giving the plaza-facing facade the star treatment: a prominent balcony crowned by a corner turret that has become the building's signature feature. Across its five floors, the facade keeps a strict symmetry of windows and balconies, characteristic of eclectic architecture from that period.

Look up toward the upper floors and you'll spot decorative murals by artist Agustín Espí Carbonell, adding painted ornamentation typical of early 20th-century Spanish design — a detail not every building around the plaza can claim.

One of the most unusual features is a small corner chapel at the point where the main facade meets Calle de Vergara, lit by a lantern. It houses an image of the Virgin of Sorrows (Dolorosa) and is known as the last surviving example in Madrid of a "virgen rinconera" — a traditional street-corner shrine that was once common across the city but has almost entirely disappeared from its streets today.

How do you get there?

The building sits right in the historic heart of Madrid, in the Palacio district, next door to the Royal Palace. It makes a natural stop on a walk between Plaza de Oriente and the Almudena Cathedral, since most major sights in this part of the city are within a few minutes on foot. The easiest way in is by metro to Ópera station (lines 2, 5 and R), or on foot from Puerta del Sol, about a 10–15 minute walk.

When should you visit?

Since this is a private residential building rather than a museum with opening hours, you can view the exterior at any time of year. The best light for photographing the facade and turret is early morning or late afternoon, when the sun hits the plaza at a low angle. It's worth pairing a visit with a walk through the surrounding streets of the Palacio district, which still holds many similar 19th- and 20th-century townhouses.

Frequently asked questions

Can you go inside the building? No — it's a private residential property and can only be admired from the outside.

Why is it called a "palace" if it's a residential building? The name reflects the grand character of its facade and architectural detailing, typical of Madrid's "casas-palacio" from the turn of the 20th century — a term used for elaborate bourgeois townhouses rather than aristocratic residences in the strict sense.

What is the "virgen rinconera" on the facade? It's a traditional small street-corner shrine holding a Marian image lit by a lantern. The one on Casa-palacio de Ricardo Augustín is the last surviving example of this custom in Madrid.

How long should you plan for a visit? Viewing the building itself takes just a few minutes, but combined with a walk around Plaza de Ramales, Plaza de Oriente, and the Royal Palace area, it's worth setting aside 30 to 60 minutes.