Palacio de las Cortes, Madrid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Palacio de las Cortes |
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Main façade
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| General information | |
| Architectural style | Neoclassical |
| Location | Madrid, Spain |
| Construction started | 1843 |
| Completed | 1850 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Narciso Pascual Colomer |
The Palacio de las Cortes is a very important building in Madrid, Spain. It is where the Congress of Deputies meets. This group is made up of elected representatives who help make laws for Spain. The building is located on Calle Zorrilla and Carrera de San Jerónimo, close to the Paseo del Prado.
The Palacio de las Cortes was designed by Narciso Pascual Colomer. Construction started in 1843 and finished in 1850. It was built in the Neoclassical style. This means it looks like ancient Greek and Roman buildings. It is one of Madrid's most famous buildings from the 1800s.
An Important Event
The Palacio de las Cortes became famous around the world in 1981. This was during an attempted coup d'état, which is when a group tries to take control of the government by force. In Spain, this event is known as '23-F'.
During this event, a military officer named Antonio Tejero entered the Congress of Deputies chamber. He was with many armed officers. They interrupted a meeting where a new Spanish leader was being chosen. The group fired shots inside the chamber. Luckily, no one was hurt during this incident.
The people inside the building were held there for about 18 hours. After this time, the attempt to take over the government failed. The situation was resolved peacefully.
Visible History
Today, you can still see the marks from the bullets inside the main meeting room. Visitors on guided tours are often shown these marks. They serve as a reminder of this important moment in Spanish history.
