Palacio del Marqués de Perales, Madrid

Palacio del Marqués de Perales is an 18th-century urban palace in Madrid, standing on Calle de la Magdalena at the corner with Calle Cabeza, in the historic Lavapiés-Embajadores district. Today it houses the administrative headquarters and research center of Spain's national film institute, though its baroque facade remains a striking sight for anyone walking through this part of the city center.

How do you get there?

The palace sits in central Madrid, in the densely packed Lavapiés neighborhood, close to Plaza de Antón Martín. The easiest way to reach it is by metro to Antón Martín station, followed by a short walk through the narrow streets of the old town. The location makes it a convenient stop when exploring nearby landmarks, including Cine Doré, the film institute's screening venue just one block away.

What will you see?

The palace was built in 1732 for the Marqués de Perales del Río. The design came from Pedro de Ribera, one of the leading architects of Madrid's baroque period, best known for his elaborately decorated portals. The building's signature feature is its baroque doorway topped with an overhanging balcony, decorated with floral motifs typical of Ribera's work. The floor plan is roughly square, arranged around interior courtyards — a layout typical of aristocratic urban residences from the first half of the 18th century.

The building also carries a dramatic chapter of Madrid's history. In 1808, during the Peninsular War, the III Marqués de Perales del Río, José Miguel Fernández de Pinedo González de Quijano, was murdered inside his own palace by an angry mob that accused him of sympathizing with the French. In 1924, the building was sold to the Spanish state. From the 1970s it housed the Hemeroteca Nacional, the national newspaper archive, and since 2002 it has served as the administrative headquarters and research center of Filmoteca Española, including the Dolores Devesa research center.

It's worth knowing that public film screenings do not take place here — those are held at the nearby Cine Doré on Calle Santa Isabel, a 1923 building less than a kilometer away. The palace itself can be visited during occasional guided tours that combine both film institute buildings.

When should you visit?

The facade can be admired year-round since it faces a public street. If you want to see the interior, check ahead for guided tour dates organized by Filmoteca Española — these run occasionally and usually require advance booking. The Lavapiés district is especially pleasant in spring and autumn, when mild temperatures make it easy to wander its narrow, historic streets.

Frequently asked questions

Can you visit the inside of the palace? Yes, but only through occasional guided tours run by Filmoteca Española — day to day the building serves administrative and research functions, not a permanently open tourist attraction.

Are film screenings held here? No — Filmoteca Española's screenings take place at Cine Doré, a separate building on Calle Santa Isabel, about a block from the palace.

Who designed the palace? It was designed by Pedro de Ribera, a leading architect of Madrid's baroque era in the first half of the 18th century, also known for the gateway of the Cuartel del Conde-Duque and the Puente de Toledo bridge.

Why is the palace historically significant? Beyond its architecture, the palace is tied to a dramatic episode of the Peninsular War — in 1808, the III Marqués de Perales del Río was murdered here by a mob.