Palacio del Príncipe de Anglona

Palacio del Príncipe de Anglona is a 17th-century palace tucked away in the La Latina district of Madrid, right beside Plaza de la Paja. The building sits at the crossing of Calle de Segovia, Calle de San Andrés, Calle de San Pedro and Calle Príncipe de Anglona, in the heart of the old Habsburg quarter known as Madrid de los Austrias. From the street it's easy to walk past without noticing it, since high walls hide what lies behind them — one of the calmest corners of the old town.

What's the story behind the palace?

The palace was built between 1675 and 1690 as an aristocratic residence. It was home to Pedro de Alcántara Téllez-Girón y Pimentel, son of the 9th Duke of Osuna and the 2nd Prince of Anglona, whose title gave the building its current name. Ownership later passed to the Dukes of Benavente, and the garden that now defines the site owes its layout to the Marquises of La Romana, who commissioned its design.

What will you actually see there?

The palace building itself isn't open to casual visitors — the real draw is the garden attached to it. It was designed by Javier de Winthuysen, a painter and garden designer active around the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries, known for his work reviving historic Spanish garden layouts. Covering roughly 800 square meters, the garden follows a Neo-Classical style: a geometric network of paths is framed by low boxwood hedges, forming a knot-garden pattern typical of Spanish parterre design. Benches are scattered throughout, making it an easy spot to sit down in the shade and step away from the noise of downtown Madrid.

How do you get there?

The garden sits right in the middle of La Latina, a short walk from Plaza Mayor and from Plaza de la Paja, one of the most atmospheric squares in old Madrid. The area is well served by the metro, with La Latina station (Line 5) a few minutes away on foot, plus several bus routes running nearby. Because of the surrounding walls, the entrance can be surprisingly easy to miss — look for a modest gate near Plaza de la Paja or along Calle Príncipe de Anglona.

When's the best time to visit?

Daytime is the way to go, while the garden gates are open to the public — it makes a natural stop while wandering La Latina, especially on the way between Plaza Mayor and the Basílica de San Francisco el Grande. Spring and early summer show off the boxwood hedges at their greenest, while the shade from the trees keeps the spot pleasant even on hot afternoons.

Frequently asked questions

Is entry to the garden free? Yes, access to the garden next to the palace is free for all visitors during opening hours.

Can you go inside the palace itself? The palace building is not generally open to tourists; what draws visitors is the garden that sits alongside it.

How long does a visit take? It's a small, self-contained space, so a relaxed walk and a rest on a bench usually take about 15–20 minutes.

What else is nearby? The site borders Plaza de la Paja and the wider La Latina neighborhood, within easy walking distance of Plaza Mayor, Madrid's cathedral, and a dense cluster of tapas bars, making it simple to fold into a wider walk through old Madrid.