Francisco de Cubas facts for kids
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Francisco de Cubas y González-Montes (born April 13, 1826 – died January 2, 1899) was a famous Spanish architect and politician. He was also known as the Marquis of Cubas. This was a special title he received. Later, he also became the Marquis of Fontalba.
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Who Was Francisco de Cubas?
Francisco de Cubas was a very important person in Spain during the 1800s. He designed many beautiful buildings. He also helped lead the country as a politician. His work helped shape the look of Madrid, the capital city of Spain.
His Early Life and Education
Francisco de Cubas studied architecture in Madrid, Spain. He went to a special school called the Escuela Técnica Superior de Arquitectura. He was a very good student. He even won scholarships to study in other countries. These scholarships allowed him to travel to Italy and Greece. There, he learned more about old and new building styles.
When he came back to Spain in 1858, his work was recognized. He won a medal at a big art show called the National Exposition. In 1870, he became a member of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando. This was a great honor for artists and architects.
His Political Career
Besides being an architect, Francisco de Cubas was also a politician. He was a member of the Spanish parliament, called the Cortes Generales. He served as a deputy, which is like a representative, in 1893. Later, from 1896 to 1898, he was a senator for the city of Ávila.
He even served as the mayor of Madrid for a short time. He was mayor from November 6 to December 1, 1892. This shows how important he was in both art and government.
Famous Buildings He Designed
Francisco de Cubas designed many well-known buildings in Madrid. His style often used brick. He liked to build in the Neo-Gothic and Historicist styles. Neo-Gothic means he used ideas from old Gothic cathedrals. Historicist means he looked back at different historical styles for inspiration.
Some of his famous works include:
- The Jesuit college, which is a school, called Colegio Nuestra Señora del Recuerdo.
- The University of Deusto in Bilbao.
- The National Museum of Anthropology in Madrid. This museum shows human cultures from around the world.
- The Palace of Arenzana in Madrid. Today, this building is the French embassy.
- The Church of Santa Cruz in Madrid.
The Almudena Cathedral
His most famous project is the Almudena Cathedral in Madrid. Work on this huge church began in 1883. At first, the plan was to build a smaller church. But Francisco de Cubas changed the plan. He decided to create a very grand Neo-Gothic cathedral. This style was very popular at the time.
Building the cathedral took a long time. There were money problems, which caused delays. Later, the design style was changed. It became more Neoclassic. This new style matched the nearby Royal Palace (Palacio Real).
The Castle of Butrón
If you want to see a building that truly shows Francisco de Cubas's original vision, look at the Castle of Butrón. This castle is in the Basque Country, a region in northern Spain. It looks like a fairytale castle and is a great example of his Neo-Gothic style.
His Family and Legacy
In 1860, Francisco de Cubas married Matilde de Erice y Urquijo. They were both buried in a special chapel. This chapel is located in the crypt of the Almudena Cathedral, the very church he helped design.
Francisco de Cubas left behind a great legacy. His buildings are still admired today. They show his talent and his important role in Spanish architecture and history.
