April 17, 2017 TnH Global 0

Palacio de las Dueñas – Home of a Seville Icon

Palace of Las Dueñas, the Duke of Alba´s Residence in Seville, one of the greatest monumental jewels in the city, can be visited in a wonderful tour through its gardens, lounges and patios full of art.

Over five centuries of Andalusian history remains into this private house’s walls and patios, currently opened for visitors to discover this magnificent symbol of Sevillian nobiliary architecture. Walking through the palace, the visitors can feel and live as Jackie Kennedy, Grace Kelly or the Marconi family did once.

Its main attraction is the combination of the majesty of the building itself, its patios and gardens, where a mixture of Gothic-Mudejar and Renaissance styles is found; and the importance of its high historical and artistic interest collection consisting of a selection of painting, sculpture, tapestries, furniture and objects.

Built between the 15^th and 16^th centuries, Las Dueñas was named after the currently disappeared monastery of Santa María de las Dueñas, placed in the adjoining plot and demolished in 1868. Its Origin was the Place-house of the Pineda, one of the dynasties of the patricians of Seville. In the next few decades, the Palace was inherited by the Ribera family and then to Fernando Álvarez de Toledo, future Duke of Alba. Since 1612, Las Dueñas belongs to Casa de Alba.

During 20^th century, Las Dueñas has been a meeting place for members of European dynasties and diverse personalities from the world of culture, politics and international art. The Empress of France Eugenia de Montijo, , Churchill, Jacqueline Kennedy, , the Marconi family, Grace Kelly and her husband Rainier of Monaco, the Prince of Wales, the King and Queen from Sweden, the Nobel Prize winner Mario Vargas Llosa or the actor Michael Douglas, amongst others, have visited the Palace.

Carlos Fitz-James Stuart, the current Duke of Alba decided to open Las Dueñas Palace in 2016 so that visitors can enjoy its magnificent interiors, patios and gardens, its artwork and their daily reality. They can know about the great artistic patronage and the conservation task that the House of Alba has been performing for centuries. In March 2016, it opened to the public for the first time ever in its centuries-long history.

Las Dueñas Palace also offers the possibility of a private and exclusive tour around its collection. The guests will enjoy the opportunity of visiting the Palace in private, fully appreciating its rooms and masterpieces during the hours when Las Dueñas is closed to the public. You can visit most of the ground floor rooms – Salon de la Gitana, her private sitting rooms, chapel, and study – and the famous garden (Patio de los Limones).

The beautiful flower-filled arcaded main patio has Mudejar features very similar to the Casa de Pilatos -such as intricate azulejos (ceramic tiles), plasterwork and artesonado wooden ceilings which dates from the same era and was built for the same family, the De Riberas. Look out for the many photographs of the Duchess, as well as personal gifts, paintings, poems, mementoes and presents in the room with Betis memorabilia.

The shop (on the right as you leave, in the Patio de Apeadero) has an excellent selection of books, Andalusian leather goods, items with designs replicating the ceramic tiles, and Duchess-themed items, as well as the Casa de Alba gourmet food range including extra virgin olive oil from their estate in Cordoba, heraldic biscuits, orange-blossom honey, and even orange-flavored beer.

You can book a guided tour of the palace, and an audio guide is also available.

Opening Hours:

Monday to Sunday

April to September: 10:00 to 20:00

October to March: 10:00 to 18:00

Closed: January 1^st and 6^th, and December 25^th

Ticket Sales:

Ticket Office (C/ Dueñas, 5 – Seville)

Website: www.lasduenas.es