Palace of Canto del Pico facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Palace of Canto del Pico |
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| Native name Spanish: Palacio del Canto del Pico |
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| Location | Torrelodones, Spain |
| Official name: Palacio del Canto del Pico | |
| Type | Non-movable |
| Criteria | Monument |
| Designated | 1930 |
| Reference no. | RI-51-0000343 |
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The Palace of Canto del Pico (in Spanish: Palacio del Canto del Pico) is a grand old building in Torrelodones, Spain. It's known for its unique location and interesting history. In 1930, it was officially recognized as an important historical monument.
Contents
Building a Palace on a Mountain
The Palace of Canto del Pico was built between 1920 and 1922. It was made for a person known as the Count of Las Almenas. What makes this palace special is where it's located.
High Up in the Mountains
The palace sits on top of a granite mountain. It's very high up, about 1,011 meters (or 3,317 feet) above sea level! Imagine building a palace so high. The area around it covers about 100 acres. Some parts of the palace, like stairs and balconies, are actually carved right into the natural rock of the mountain.
The Palace's First Owner
The Count of Las Almenas used the palace to keep his many valuable treasures. He collected a lot of these items. There were even stories that some of these treasures might have been acquired in unusual ways.
Selling the Treasures
Later, the Count faced some money problems. Because of this, he had to sell his collection of treasures. He sold them for 2 million pesetas, which was a lot of money back then, to a buyer from the United States.
A Sad Event at the Palace
A famous Spanish leader, Antonio Maura, who was a prime minister, sadly passed away at the palace. He fell down a flight of steps there.
The Palace During the Civil War
The Palace of Canto del Pico played an important role during the Spanish Civil War.
A Military Headquarters
During the war, the palace became the main headquarters for the Republican Army. Important leaders like Indalecio Prieto and Jose Miaja used it as their base. From here, they planned big battles, including the Battle of Brunete. After the war ended, another important figure, Francisco Franco, lived in the palace for many years.
What Happened in Recent Years
Over time, the palace has faced many challenges.
Damage and Changes
Sadly, the palace has been damaged by people taking things from it and by acts of vandalism. In 1998, a fire broke out and destroyed many of the remaining artworks inside. Because of this damage, its official historical classification was lowered in 2004.
Plans for the Future
In 1988, a hotel company bought the palace. They wanted to turn it into a fancy luxury hotel. However, in 2013, their plans were not approved. This was because the palace is considered a very important cultural monument, and officials wanted to protect its historical value.
See also
In Spanish: Palacio del Canto del Pico para niños
- Imperial Route of the Community of Madrid
Images for kids
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The Palace of Canto del Pico
