Palacio de las Cortes, Madrid
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The main façade faces Carrera de San Jerónimo, one of Madrid’s principal streets. Despite its mid-19th-century construction, it is considered one of the masterpieces of Spanish neoclassicism and the most famous work of its architect, Narciso Pascual y Colomer. |
The main façade faces Carrera de San Jerónimo, one of Madrid’s principal streets. Despite its mid-19th-century construction, it is considered one of the masterpieces of Spanish neoclassicism and the most famous work of its architect, Narciso Pascual y Colomer. |
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The architect designed the façade in the style of a Renaissance palace, with two floors—the first with rusticated stonework and the second featuring windows with triangular pediments. As a grand entrance, he designed a large portico with six Corinthian columns, supporting a triangular pediment adorned with a bas-relief depicting Spain with the Constitution, flanked by allegorical figures representing Strength, Justice, Liberty, Valor, Science, Harmony, Fine Arts, Agriculture, Commerce, Rivers, Abundance, and Peace. This masterpiece was created by the sculptor Ponciano Ponzano. |
The architect designed the façade in the style of a Renaissance palace, with two floors—the first with rusticated stonework and the second featuring windows with triangular pediments. As a grand entrance, he designed a large portico with six Corinthian columns, supporting a triangular pediment adorned with a bas-relief depicting Spain with the Constitution, flanked by allegorical figures representing Strength, Justice, Liberty, Valor, Science, Harmony, Fine Arts, Agriculture, Commerce, Rivers, Abundance, and Peace. This masterpiece was created by the sculptor [[Ponciano Ponzano]]. |
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In front of the portico, there is a monumental staircase, flanked by the two iconic bronze lions sculpted by Ponciano Ponzano in 1866. The lions were cast using cannons captured in the 1860 African War. Popular culture has named them Daoiz and Velarde, in honor of the two captains who died in the May 2, 1808 uprising against the French.{{Cite news |date=1985-11-01 |title=Los leones de las Cortes bajan del pedestal. |url=https://elpais.com/diario/1985/11/01/madrid/499695854_850215.html |access-date=2025-01-31 |work=El País |language=es |issn=1134-6582}} |
In front of the portico, there is a monumental staircase, flanked by the two iconic bronze lions sculpted by Ponciano Ponzano in 1866. The lions were cast using cannons captured in the 1860 African War. Popular culture has named them Daoiz and Velarde, in honor of the two captains who died in the May 2, 1808 uprising against the French.{{Cite news |date=1985-11-01 |title=Los leones de las Cortes bajan del pedestal. |url=https://elpais.com/diario/1985/11/01/madrid/499695854_850215.html |access-date=2025-01-31 |work=El País |language=es |issn=1134-6582}} |
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The most well-known room in the Palace, the Session Hall (''Hemiciclo''), is a semicircular chamber where the Congress of Deputies meets. |
The most well-known room in the Palace, the Session Hall (''Hemiciclo''), is a semicircular chamber where the Congress of Deputies meets. |
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At the front of the chamber, a tapestry featuring the Spanish coat of arms is flanked by two Carrara marble statues of the Catholic Monarchs. On either side, two large paintings depict historic moments: |
At the front of the chamber, a tapestry featuring the Spanish coat of arms is flanked by two [[Carrara marble]] statues of the Catholic Monarchs. On either side, two large paintings depict historic moments: |
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* "''María de Molina Presents Her Son Fernando IV to the Cortes of Valladolid (1295)''" – painted by [[Antonio Gisbert]] in 1863. |
* "''María de Molina Presents Her Son Fernando IV to the Cortes of Valladolid (1295)''" – painted by [[Antonio Gisbert]] in 1863. |
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* "''The Oath of the Deputies of the Cádiz Cortes (1812)''" – painted by José Casado del Alisal in 1863. |
* "''The Oath of the Deputies of the Cádiz Cortes (1812)''" – painted by [[José Casado del Alisal]] in 1863. |
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Above the presidium, four sculpted figures represent the Navy, Agriculture, Commerce, and Science, created by Sabino Medina. The chamber is topped by a glass-domed ceiling, with a central painting depicting Queen Isabella II surrounded by historical figures such as El Cid, Christopher Columbus, and [[Miguel de Cervantes]], created by Carlos Luis de Ribera. |
Above the presidium, four sculpted figures represent the Navy, Agriculture, Commerce, and Science, created by Sabino Medina. The chamber is topped by a glass-domed ceiling, with a central painting depicting Queen Isabella II surrounded by historical figures such as El Cid, Christopher Columbus, and [[Miguel de Cervantes]], created by Carlos Luis de Ribera. |
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