Palacio de los Condes de Cervellón

Palacio de los Condes de Cervellón is a baroque residence in the small town of Anna, in the province of Valencia, built over the remains of a medieval castle dating back to the 12th century. It stands on Paseo Alameda and has held cultural heritage status since 2001.

What is the history behind this palace?

The original fortress on this site was built during the period of Muslim rule, under Almohad domination. After the Christian conquest, King Jaime I granted the territory to the Order of Santiago. Once Anna became a barony, Isabel de Borja — mother of Pope Alexander VI and sister of Pope Calixtus III — became its first baroness, tying the site to one of the most influential families of Renaissance Europe.

The turning point came in the early 17th century: on May 3, 1604, King Felipe III elevated the town to the status of a county, granting the title to Fernando Pujades de Borja. He converted the old medieval fortress into a palatial residence where he lived with his family. The building's current name comes from the House of Cervellón, which later held the county title.

What can you see inside?

Following an extensive restoration, the palace now operates as a Heritage Interpretation Center, housing several distinct exhibits:

• Ethnological Museum — dedicated to the traditional trades and daily life of Anna's residents, alongside the history of the Muslim castle that once stood on this spot.
• Water Museum — reflecting the importance of water management in this part of the Valencia region, historically vital for local agriculture.
• Arab courtyard — featuring ceramic tilework and plasterwork that evoke Muslim decorative art traditions.
• Themed rooms — devoted to the history of Anna itself and to the Borja and Cervellón families, whose fortunes shaped the town for centuries.

Moving through the rooms, visitors can trace the building's layered past, from medieval stronghold to aristocratic baroque residence to its present-day role as a local museum.

How do you get to the palace?

Anna sits inland in the province of Valencia, in the area known as the Comarca de la Canal de Navarrés. The most convenient way to arrive is by car, as the town is roughly an hour's drive from the city of Valencia, through a landscape of gentle hills and vineyards. The palace stands in the center of town, on Paseo Alameda, making it easy to reach on foot once you arrive.

When is the best time to visit?

The region shares the typical inland Mediterranean climate of Valencia, with hot summers and mild winters. Spring and autumn are the best seasons to explore both the palace interior and the surrounding town on foot, thanks to milder temperatures. It's worth checking opening hours in advance, since as a small local museum the palace may keep a limited schedule, particularly outside the main tourist season.

Frequently asked questions

Can you visit the inside of the palace, or only see it from outside? The interior is open to visitors as a Heritage Interpretation Center, featuring an ethnological museum, a water museum, and an Arab courtyard.

Where does the palace's name come from? From the House of Cervellón, which held the county title of Anna after Fernando Pujades de Borja turned the former castle into a residence in the early 17th century.

Is the building connected to the Borja family? Yes — the first baroness of Anna was Isabel de Borja, sister of Pope Calixtus III and mother of Alexander VI, and one of the museum rooms is dedicated to this family's history.

Is it worth combining the visit with other attractions in the area? Yes, Anna lies in the Comarca de la Canal de Navarrés, known for its vineyards and natural water reservoirs, making it easy to plan a longer day trip around the region.