Palacio de Zurbano

Palacio de Zurbano is a historic city palace in Madrid, located at Calle de Zurbano 5-7 in the Almagro neighborhood. It now serves administrative purposes and isn't open to the public, but its facade and backstory make it a rewarding stop for anyone exploring the elegant streets of the Chamberí district.

How do you get there?

The easiest way is by metro — the closest stations are Alonso Martínez and Rubén Darío, both a short, pleasant walk away. The building sits on one of Almagro's main streets, a neighborhood known for its refined late-19th and early-20th century architecture, so walking over from Paseo de la Castellana or Plaza de Colón takes only a few minutes and doubles as a nice stroll past similar mansions along the way.

What's the history behind the palace?

The building went up between 1878 and 1881, commissioned by the Count of Muguiro, who hired architect Severiano Sainz de la Lastra to design a typical "hotel" of the era — a detached single-family residence surrounded by a garden. Sainz de la Lastra also designed the Bank of Spain building, which gives a sense of the architectural pedigree behind this commission. The palace was built on land that had previously been the huerta de Loinaz, a vegetable garden that occupied this part of the city before Madrid expanded into what is now the Almagro district.

The building takes its name from the street it faces, though over the years it has also been known by other names tied to its successive owners — Palacio del Conde de Muguiro and Palacio del Marqués de Casa Riera. In 1915, once the property passed to Gonzalo de Mora y Fernández, Marquess of Casa Riera, architect Eladio Laredo carried out a major expansion that effectively doubled the building's floor area.

What will you actually see there?

Since the palace now houses institutional offices, visits are limited to viewing the building from the street. That said, it's worth pausing to take in the eclectic architecture typical of Madrid mansions from that period — the imposing facade, its decorative details, and the overall layout characteristic of the old garden-surrounded "hotels," even though the surrounding garden has shrunk over time as the city built up around it.

The palace also has its own chapter in European royal history: in 1928, Fabiola de Mora y Aragón was born here, the woman who later became queen consort of Belgium as the wife of King Baudouin. For many visitors, this royal connection is actually the bigger draw than the architecture itself.

In 1986, the Spanish state acquired the palace, placing it under the ministry then responsible for infrastructure (the Ministerio de Fomento), closing the chapter of its history as a private family residence.

When's the best time to visit?

Because sightseeing here is limited to the exterior, there's no wrong season to come — but picking a day with good light helps bring out the facade's details. Early morning or late afternoon tends to work best, when the street is quieter and it's easier to photograph the building without traffic or parked cars in the way.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you go inside the Palacio de Zurbano? No, the building serves as offices for the Spanish state and isn't open to visitors as a tourist attraction.

Who designed the palace? The original building was designed by Severiano Sainz de la Lastra, who also designed the Bank of Spain, while the 1915 expansion was carried out by Eladio Laredo.

Why is the Palacio de Zurbano historically notable? Because Fabiola de Mora y Aragón, who later became Queen of the Belgians as the wife of King Baudouin, was born there in 1928.

What's the best way to get there? Take the metro to Alonso Martínez or Rubén Darío station, then walk a few minutes through the Almagro neighborhood.