Palace of Infante don Luis

The Palacio del Infante don Luis lies in Boadilla del Monte about 15 kilometres west of Madrid and is considered one of the most important late-Baroque palaces in Spain. Architect Ventura Rodriguez began the building in 1765 for Infante Luis de Borbon y Farnesio, the youngest brother of King Charles III, who had been banished from court after his morganatic marriage to Maria Teresa Vallabriga. The family led a highly cultured life of exile here, and the young Francisco de Goya served as court painter, creating several family portraits including the famous Family of the Infante Don Luis. After decades of decay the town of Boadilla acquired the palace and had it restored. Today it hosts cultural events, the gardens are publicly accessible and guided tours of the interior are available at weekends.