Palacio de los Condes de Santa Ana

The Palacio de los Condes de Santa Ana, nestled in the heart of Lucena, Andalusia, Spain, stands as a magnificent testament to 18th-century private architecture. This grand edifice, now home to the Centro de Interpretación de Lucena since its inauguration in 2011, offers a captivating journey through the rich history and cultural heritage of the city.

The History of Palacio de los Condes de Santa Ana

Tracing the chronology of the Palacio de los Condes de Santa Ana can be somewhat challenging, but it is generally accepted that construction began in the 1730s and was completed in the latter half of the 18th century. The palace's first floor was notably used by Antonio Rafael de Mora y Saavedra, who housed an antiquities cabinet for his guests. Among the treasures was a Roman statue of Eros from the 2nd century, discovered in the palace's foundations in 2010.

In 1879, the building was sold to the Mata Burgos family, later known as the Torres Burgos. By 1982, the palace had been declared a national historical-artistic monument and was subsequently purchased by the Ministry of Justice. Between 1986 and 1987, the building underwent renovations to serve as a courthouse.

The Centro de Interpretación de Lucena

In 2005, the Ayuntamiento de Lucena acquired the palace for cultural purposes. Restoration work began in the summer of 2008, with the goal of transforming the palace into a municipal museum dedicated to the city's history, social, and ethnic aspects. The project, with a budget of nearly 3 million euros, uncovered several historical artifacts, including the aforementioned statue of Eros and neoclassical mural paintings.

The museum officially opened its doors on March 26, 2011, featuring ten exhibition rooms and quickly attracting a large number of visitors. On July 15, 2020, two additional rooms were inaugurated: The Beliefs of the People, dedicated to the paleochristian basilica of Coracho, and Lucena… Eliossana, focusing on Sephardic culture with pieces donated by the rabbi of Melilla and other artifacts from the Jewish necropolis of Lucena. A new room dedicated to the history of printing, featuring original elements, was opened on February 28, 2022.

Architectural Splendor

The exterior of the Palacio de los Condes de Santa Ana is an exquisite display of two-story architecture, featuring ashlar and brick with masonry walls. The first floor boasts recessed windows with ornate frames, while the second floor showcases balconies framed by pilasters and broken pediments with elaborate pyramid-shaped finials. The main attraction of the façade is the splendid polychrome marble entrance, framed by solemn Corinthian columns on high pedestals with geometric decoration. Above the entrance, a balcony with a rich design of stipites and a mixtilinear crest with a coat of arms, along with a series of bulging pyramids, adds to the grandeur.

Upon entering the palace, visitors are greeted by a less ornate first courtyard, which originally served as the hub for kitchens, granaries, stables, and servant quarters. The interior reveals a grand staircase of red marble, combined with bronze railings and topped by an octagonal dome and two half-oranges. The style of the staircase hints at an early Rococo influence, possibly crafted by master Francisco José Guerrero or his disciple Pedro de Mena Gutiérrez. The stair risers are adorned with tiles from Talavera de la Reina, and a large hexagonal tile depicting Saint George on horseback, once located on the western wing of the staircase, is now displayed in one of the museum's rooms.

The Second Courtyard

The second courtyard of the palace is a marvel, featuring alternating blue and red marble columns, with bases and shafts of contrasting colors. At its center is a monumental white marble fountain, a testament to the palace's opulence. The second floor balconies, with their trilobed and pointed arches, lend a neo-Gothic appearance to the courtyard.

Conclusion

The Palacio de los Condes de Santa Ana is not just a historical building; it is a vibrant cultural hub that offers a window into Lucena's past. From its architectural splendor to the carefully curated exhibits within the Centro de Interpretación de Lucena, the palace invites visitors to explore and appreciate the rich tapestry of history, art, and culture that defines this Andalusian city. Whether you're a history enthusiast, an architecture aficionado, or simply a curious traveler, a visit to the Palacio de los Condes de Santa Ana promises an enriching and unforgettable experience.