Although he architectural heritage of Madrid be known by the vast majority, as the Gran Vía, the Puerta de Alcalá or the El Retiro Park, The truth is that in the capital of Spain there are many hidden gems that not many tourists know about. In fact, you don’t have to go to the outskirts to find them, just walk through the center of the city… so much so that one of them is in the middle of the city. Cibeles Square.
Looking directly at the fountain back crowned by the Greek Mother Goddess, next to the Post Office Palace, is the beautiful Casa de América, although this incredible building is also known as the Linares Palace. This architectural work 19th century neobaroque It is often overshadowed by the monuments that are nearby, but it is undoubtedly a true Madrid gem. Of course, the splendor of its interior hides a macabre legend worthy of Halloween.
An enchanted palace in the heart of Madrid
The first marquises of Linares They built this glorious palace at the end of the 19th century in the heart of Madrid, and they spared no expense: the presumptuousness and majesty of this building can be seen in every corner and in every decorative element, chosen with care by the best architects and interior designers of the time. The aristocrats only lived in it for two decades, after which it passed through countless owners.
The Civil War and abandonment They were on the verge of destroying the Linares Palace, but in the 90s decade was restored completely and today it not only houses the House of America, but is also one of the great wonders of the heritage of the capital of Spain. Despite the rooms with gold ornamentation and the opulence that is denoted in each of the rooms, in reality there is a macabre legend.
A girl walled up in the Linares Palace
Legend has it that José and Raimunda, The first marquises of Linares and those who ordered the palace to be built, fell madly in love, but the problem was that the future aristocrat was a low social class. When José’s father found out, he sent his son to study in horror. to London, since he knew perfectly well his future daughter-in-law: she was his daughter, fruit of an affair outside of marriage, so the two young people They were actually stepbrothers.
Even though they both found out, they decided to move forward with the relationship, since their love was too strong to be broken. José and Raimunda They had a daughter, Raimundita, but fearing that it would be known that it was the result of incest, They murdered the girl, and it is even said that they walled her up. on the walls of the Linares Palace. Since then, you can hear a ghost childish calling his parents in the building, which has become one of the most delighted in Madrid.