Medinaceli Palace

Medinaceli Palace is an 18th-century noble residence in Aranjuez, the Spanish town famous for its gardens and royal summer palaces near Madrid. Also known locally as Casa de Carmena, the building stands at the heart of the historic center and ranks among the finest examples of aristocratic architecture from the Bourbon era.

Where does the palace's name come from?

The building was commissioned in 1773 by Pedro de Alcántara Fernández de Córdoba Figueroa de la Cerda y Moncada, 12th Duke of Medinaceli, one of the most powerful noblemen in Spain at the time. It was built to house the ducal family and their household staff during the court's seasonal stays in Aranjuez, where Spanish monarchs traditionally spent the spring months. The Medinaceli name has stuck to the building ever since, although locals also refer to it as Casa de Carmena.

What will you see when you walk past it?

The palace is a neoclassical building, representative of the palatial style that defined Aranjuez in the second half of the 18th century. Its architecture is deliberately understated: plain façades with minimal ornamentation, all attention drawn to the imposing entrance portal that opens onto a vaulted passage leading to an interior courtyard. This layout — wings arranged around a square courtyard, with a landscaped area at the rear — was the standard blueprint for noble residences built to serve the royal court.

The palace occupies an entire city block, bounded by Calle Capitán, Gobernador, Rey and Abastos. Its size and the way it fits into the street grid of the old town illustrate how Aranjuez itself was planned: a regular, purpose-built residential town designed around the royal palace.

It's worth knowing that the building today serves a purely residential function — it has been divided into private apartments and is not open to visitors on the inside. The draw is the exterior itself: the façade and courtyard entrance, best appreciated on a walk through the old town's streets.

How do you get to the palace?

Medinaceli Palace sits right in the center of Aranjuez, within walking distance of the town's main attractions, including the Royal Palace and the Prince's Garden. The easiest way to get there from Madrid is by train on the Cercanías C3 line to Aranjuez station, followed by a short walk or a brief local bus ride into the old town. Drivers will find parking near the historic center, though the streets immediately around the palace are narrow and partly one-way.

When is the best time to visit?

Spring and early summer are the best seasons to explore Aranjuez, matching the same rhythm the town was originally built around: mild weather and lush gardens along the Tagus River create the most attractive setting. Pairing a walk past Medinaceli Palace with a visit to the nearby Royal Palace and the historic center makes it easy to experience the town's residential architecture in a single day.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you visit the inside of Medinaceli Palace? No, the building is now divided into private apartments and is not open to the public. Visitors can only admire the façade and courtyard entrance from the outside.

Who built the palace, and why? It was built in 1773 on the orders of the 12th Duke of Medinaceli as a residence for his family and their household staff during stays in Aranjuez.

What architectural style does the building represent? It's a neoclassical building typical of Aranjuez's palatial architecture — simple volumes with restrained decoration concentrated around the entrance portal.

How far is it from the center of Aranjuez? The palace stands right in the old town, within walking distance of the Royal Palace and the main gardens, making it easy to combine with the rest of a visit.