Palace of Sorzano de Tejada

Palace of Sorzano de Tejada is a compact but striking townhouse palace in Orihuela, in the province of Alicante, also referred to as Palacio Romero de Tejada. It stands on Calle López Pozas (formerly Calle del Ángel), right in the heart of the city's historic quarter, and today houses the Museo Fundación Pedrera Martínez.

Where does the palace's name come from?

The building takes its name from the Sorzano de Nájera family, one of the wealthiest and most influential families in 19th-century Orihuela. In 1804, Matías Sorzano de Nájera petitioned the city council for formal recognition of his noble status, based on his stake in the former lordship of Solar de Tejada. That's why the palace's name carries both the family surname and the title tied to that estate.

How do you get there?

The palace sits in central Orihuela, within an easily walkable stretch of the old town, close to several other historic buildings. The most convenient way to reach it is on foot from the cathedral or the main town square — Orihuela's historic centre is compact, and most of its landmarks lie within a fifteen-minute walk of one another. Visitors arriving by car will find street parking around the edges of the old town.

What will you see inside?

The building was constructed at the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries in the neoclassical style typical of bourgeois architecture in the Alicante region at the time. It originally had two floors, but a third storey was added during the 19th century — a change that ended up partially hiding the dome of the chapel housed inside the building from outside view. That detail is a small but telling trace of the alterations the palace underwent over two centuries.

Today the palace is home to the Museo Fundación Pedrera Martínez, a private museum run by a non-profit foundation that has its main headquarters here. The collection includes works by celebrated Spanish painters, with pieces attributed to Francisco Goya and Joaquín Sorolla, alongside paintings by anonymous Neapolitan artists. That combination makes a visit here as much about the art itself as about stepping into a preserved historic interior with an intimate, almost residential feel.

When is the best time to visit?

Orihuela has a Mediterranean climate, so the most comfortable seasons for exploring the town are spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November), when temperatures are mild and the heat doesn't get in the way of walking around the old quarter. In summer, it's worth planning a visit for the morning hours to avoid the midday heat. Since the palace operates as a museum run by a private foundation, it's worth checking current opening hours before visiting, as they can differ from those of public institutions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you visit the inside of the Palace of Sorzano de Tejada? Yes — the building functions as a museum, housing the Museo Fundación Pedrera Martínez, which displays an art collection that includes works linked to Goya and Sorolla.

Does this palace go by any other name? It's also known as Palacio Romero de Tejada, and locally as Palacete Sórzano Nájera de Tejada.

What architectural style is the palace built in? It's a neoclassical building, constructed at the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries and later expanded with an additional floor during the 19th century.

Where exactly is the palace located? The palace stands on Calle López Pozas in Orihuela's historic centre, in the province of Alicante, within easy walking distance of the town's other landmarks.