Palace of Vista Alegre

The Palace of Vista Alegre, known locally as Palacio de Vista Alegre, is an architectural gem nestled within the district of Carabanchel in Madrid, Spain. Steeped in history and surrounded by lush gardens, this palace offers visitors a glimpse into the opulent lifestyle of Spanish nobility and the evolution of the estate through different eras.

The Origins of the Palace

The origins of the Palace of Vista Alegre can be traced back to a modest country house owned by Higinio Antonio Llorente, the royal physician to King Charles IV, around 1802. After the French invasion, the estate changed hands several times, eventually being purchased in 1823 by Pablo Cabrero and Josefa Martínez Arto. They transformed it into a public recreational estate, naming it Vista Alegre. The estate boasted a casino, a bathhouse, and expansive gardens filled with various amusements. However, the business venture soon became unprofitable, leading to its sale in 1832 to Queen Maria Christina of Bourbon, the fourth wife of King Ferdinand VII.

The Royal Transformation

Queen Maria Christina of Bourbon embarked on an ambitious project to expand and enhance the estate. She acquired adjacent properties, growing the estate to 50 hectares by 1836. The original casino was transformed into a representative palace, complemented by numerous other structures scattered across the estate. These included the Estufa Grande, the Bella Vista house (which housed a collection of stuffed birds and a library), various service buildings, stables, a chapel, and even a navigable river with its own island. The estate also featured a variety of specialized buildings like the Naranjera (an orangery with an aviary), a games house, a quail house, and a pheasantry.

Construction of the New Palace

Amidst the expansion, a new and grander palace was commissioned to serve as the primary residence. This project began on the grounds of a former soap factory belonging to the Five Major Guilds of Madrid. The new palace, designed by architect Martín López Aguado between 1834 and 1835, featured a rectangular and symmetrical layout centered around three courtyards. Its main facade was characterized by its horizontal expanse and symmetrical arrangement, highlighted by a central portico with six granite columns repurposed from a gallery designed by Isidro González Velázquez.

The construction was interrupted in 1840 due to Queen Maria Christina's exile, but resumed upon her return. The project was then overseen by Narciso Pascual y Colomer, who added a grand central vestibule inspired by the Pantheon in Rome, a magnificent chapel adorned with Corinthian pilasters and semi-circular arches, and various other decorative elements.

The Marquis of Salamanca's Era

In 1859, the estate was sold to the influential lawyer and banker José de Salamanca y Mayol, who brought the estate to its peak of splendor. Under his ownership, the palace was completed with sumptuous interiors filled with valuable paintings and sculptures. One of the most notable additions was the famous Arab Hall, which has since undergone significant changes.

The Palace Under State Ownership

Following the Marquis of Salamanca's financial ruin, the estate was ceded to the state in 1886. Queen Maria Christina of Habsburg designated the palace as a shelter for disabled workers, initially managed by the Sisters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul. The building was adapted for this new purpose by architect Santiago Castellanos Urízar between 1888 and 1898, preserving much of the exterior and some interior spaces like the vestibule and chapel. Subsequent renovations further modified the building to suit its evolving functions, from a professional reeducation institute to the National Institute for the Reeducation of the Disabled (INRI) in 1933.

Post-Civil War and Modern Use

After the Spanish Civil War, significant reconstruction work was carried out by Francisco Navarro Borrás between 1940 and 1943. The palace continued to serve as the INRI, with improvements over the years. The last major renovation was undertaken by Manuel Briñas Coronado in 1982, transforming it into the Public Special Education Center for the Reeducation of the Disabled. The institution gained international recognition for its pioneering work in rehabilitating individuals with physical disabilities, earning the Queen Sofia National Rehabilitation Prize in 1989.

Future Prospects

Despite its illustrious past, the Palace of Vista Alegre faced periods of decline. In 2011, a protocol was signed between the Community of Madrid and New York University to rehabilitate the palace and lease it for use as the university's first European campus. However, the renovation has yet to commence. Currently, the palace houses the Regional Center for Innovation and Training Las Acacias, dedicated to educational innovation and the ongoing training of non-university teachers.

The Palace of Vista Alegre stands as a testament to Madrid's rich history, offering visitors a unique blend of architectural beauty and historical significance. Whether you're a history enthusiast or simply looking to explore a lesser-known gem, a visit to this palace promises a fascinating journey through time.