Palacio de la Duquesa de Medina de las Torres, Madrid

Palacio de la Duquesa de Medina de las Torres is a historic city palace in Madrid, standing at Paseo de Recoletos 23, on the corner with Calle del Almirante 29. Today the building houses the Fundación Mapfre, which runs exhibitions and cultural programs inside its walls.

Who built the palace, and when?

Construction took place between 1881 and 1884, commissioned by the 11th Duchess of Medina de las Torres, doña María Eulalia Osorio de Moscoso y Carvajal, as her family residence in the capital. The design was drawn up by architect Agustín Ortiz de Villajos. Interestingly, part of the site had previously been occupied by the Circo Price, a well-known Madrid circus of the era. The finished building rises four floors above a basement level, arranged around a central body flanked by two corner sections.

How has the building's appearance changed over time?

The first significant change came in 1910, when two towers were added to the corner sections, giving the façade a more monumental presence. A far more thorough renovation followed between 1932 and 1940, overseen by architect Enrique Simonet Castro. The palace underwent two further rounds of work in 1990, 1992 and 1995, carried out by architects Enrique de León García and Íñigo Ortiz Díez de Tortosa. These later interventions adapted the interiors to the needs of the cultural institution the building now serves.

Where exactly is the palace located?

Its address — Paseo de Recoletos 23, at the corner with Calle del Almirante 29 — places the palace right in the heart of Madrid, along one of the city's most elegant boulevards. Visitors exploring the historic center can easily combine a stop here with a walk past nearby museums and landmarks along Paseo de Recoletos.

What is the building used for today?

The palace currently serves as the headquarters of Fundación Mapfre, a Spanish cultural foundation known for organizing art and photography exhibitions. The historic architecture — the original central body together with the towers added in 1910 — now provides the backdrop for an institution that blends 19th-century aristocratic heritage with a contemporary cultural program.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was the Palacio de la Duquesa de Medina de las Torres built? It was built between 1881 and 1884, commissioned by the 11th Duchess of Medina de las Torres and designed by architect Agustín Ortiz de Villajos.

Who uses the building today? It houses the Fundación Mapfre, which runs exhibitions and other cultural activities inside.

Has the palace been renovated? Yes — towers were added in 1910, a major renovation took place between 1932 and 1940, and further modernization work was carried out in 1990, 1992 and 1995.

Where exactly is the palace located? At Paseo de Recoletos 23, on the corner with Calle del Almirante 29, in central Madrid.