Palacio de O'Reilly

Palacio de O'Reilly is an 18th-century palace in the heart of Madrid, standing at Calle Sacramento 3-5 in the historic Palacio neighborhood within the Centro district. Also known as Palacio de Lezcano, the building holds protected heritage status (Bien de Interés Patrimonial) and makes for an intriguing, lesser-known stop on a walk through Madrid's old town.

How do you get there?

The palace sits right next to the former convent of the Bernardine nuns, tucked into the tight web of narrow streets between Plaza de la Villa and Almudena Cathedral. The area is best explored on foot — it's a walk of just over ten minutes from Puerta del Sol. The nearest metro stations are Ópera (lines 2, 5 and Ramal) and La Latina (line 5), both a few minutes away. Because this is one of the oldest parts of the city, expect narrow cobbled pavements rather than wide boulevards.

What will you see?

The building's story begins in 1725, when it was built as a noble residence next to the Bernardine convent. Ownership passed to the Lezcano family in 1830, but the palace only took on its current name in 1936, when the family's heiress, Aurora Lezcano, married Darío Valcárcel, Marquis of O'Reilly, a descendant of an Irish family. His title is the reason the building carries the O'Reilly name today.

The 20th century brought a turbulent series of uses. After the family sold the property in 1944, the palace successively housed the Royal Tourism Commission, the offices of the newspaper "La Libertad," and the Museum of Industrial Arts. It was finally vacated in 1976, then acquired by Madrid's city council, and underwent a major renovation in the early 1980s. Of the original structure, only the grand main façade survives — today it's the building's main historical feature, best appreciated from the street.

Right next to the palace, look out for a small city garden that bears its name — Jardín Palacio O'Reilly, a pocket of greenery tucked into the dense fabric of Centro, a good spot to rest after wandering the surrounding alleys.

When should you visit?

Since the palace is viewed mainly from the outside, any season works — the main thing to avoid is the peak heat of Madrid's summer midday (July-August). Early morning or late afternoon light works best for photographing the façade along the narrow Calle Sacramento.

Frequently asked questions

Can you go inside the palace? No — the building now serves administrative functions for the city and isn't open as a tourist attraction. Visitors admire it from the outside, taking in the preserved façade.

Where does the name O'Reilly come from? From the title of Marquis of O'Reilly, held by Darío Valcárcel, who married Aurora Lezcano, the last heiress of the family that had owned the palace since 1830. Their 1936 wedding gave the building its current name.

Is there anything else worth seeing nearby? Yes — Plaza de la Villa, Almudena Cathedral, and the Royal Palace are all just a few minutes' walk away, making it easy to combine a visit with a wider tour of the historic center.

Is there a garden next to the palace open to visitors? Yes, the small municipal garden Jardín Palacio O'Reilly sits right beside it and is open to the public.