Palacio de los Hornillos

Palacio de los Hornillos is an English-style manor house standing in Las Fraguas, a small hamlet within the municipality of Arenas de Iguña in Cantabria, roughly 50 km from Santander.

Where exactly is the palace located?

The building sits on a sprawling estate of nearly 60 hectares, tucked into the Iguña valley, one of the more scenic corners of central Cantabria. The same grounds hold an older structure, the Casona de las Fraguas, which is why the estate is sometimes referred to interchangeably as Palacio de las Fraguas.

Who built the Palacio de los Hornillos, and when?

The older part of the complex, the Casona de las Fraguas, was commissioned in the late 18th century by the Duchess of Cilleruelo, Rafaela Ortiz Mioño. The palace that draws most of today's attention came much later, raised between 1897 and 1904 on the orders of the Duke of Santo Mauro, Mariano Fernández de Henestrosa, who served as chief of the royal household under Alfonso XIII. The commission went to British architect Ralph Selden Wornum, who gave the building an English picturesque style rooted in rural medieval English architecture — hence the turrets, steep rooflines and irregular silhouette that stand out against the typical Cantabrian landscape.

What is the palace's connection to Spain's royal family?

Before the Palacio de la Magdalena was finished in Santander, King Alfonso XIII spent his summers at Hornillos as a guest of the Duke of Santo Mauro. Those stays left a mark on the later royal residence: the architecture of Hornillos is considered a direct reference point for the design of the Magdalena palace, making it one of the more interesting threads in the story of Cantabria's residential architecture.

Why is the palace linked to Hollywood?

The estate's grounds were used by director Alejandro Amenábar as the exterior setting for his film "The Others," starring Nicole Kidman. The property's misty, austere surroundings fit the film's atmosphere closely, and the production brought the site a level of recognition far beyond the region. The palace has also served as a backdrop for other film and television projects over the years.

Can visitors tour the Palacio de los Hornillos?

The palace itself remains private property, belonging to the Dukes of San Carlos, and is not open to the public. The neighboring Casona de las Fraguas is a different story: the older building on the estate now operates as an event venue, hosting banquets, weddings and other celebrations, giving visitors at least a partial way to experience the setting firsthand.

Frequently asked questions

Are Palacio de los Hornillos and Palacio de las Fraguas the same place? Yes — both names refer to the same estate in Las Fraguas. "De las Fraguas" comes from the hamlet's name, while "de los Hornillos" is the palace's historical proper name.

Who designed the palace? British architect Ralph Selden Wornum designed the building, commissioned by the Duke of Santo Mauro, with construction running from 1897 to 1904.

Is it possible to go inside the palace? No — the palace is privately owned by the Dukes of San Carlos and closed to tourists. The adjoining Casona de las Fraguas, however, can be visited and booked for events.

Which film was shot at this location? The estate's grounds served as the filming location for "The Others," directed by Alejandro Amenábar and starring Nicole Kidman.