Rosewood Villa Magna, Madrid

The Spirit of Collecting

What if Don Juan de Anglada, the Marquis of Genal, Doña Emilia Larios and the Earl of Castrillo, all past inhabitants of Palacio de Anglada, would be around today? What would their palace look like, which artists and artisans would they have favored, what gifts received would they have chosen to display?

What would the contemporary palace of a past noble spirit look like and what would give it the feel of a contemporary residence while maintaining its heritage, spirit and honor?

Facing a residence of around 150 years of history raised a curatorial challenge. Our answer starts by peeling off the stories that have formed the imaginary inner walls of the palace; stories of the fascinating people who walked its halls and gave it its spirit. By researching past discerning tastes of art and craft and echoing them with contemporary works, we wish to maintain the unique spirit of Palace de Anglada and infuse it with the living sense of place of vibrant Madrid of today.

If Walls Could Talk

Palacio de Anglada had been called home by several owners, each one with a unique, discerning taste. The visionary Don Juan Y Ruiz Anglada dreamt and built the magnificent Palacio de Anglada in a Moorish-Eclectic style. In the hands of the Marquis of Genal and his nephews, all avid art-collectors, the palace became a hub of Madrid’s high society, hosting events and exhibitions displaying the Marquises’ impressive collections that included paintings by respected artists such as Francisco Goya.

The Bar of the hotel is where visitors gather together to celebrate memorable moments in day-to-day life. There, one would be welcomed by a cascade of personalities who shaped the place throughout history. A collection of real and imaginary portraits pays a humoring homage to the very residential habit of displaying images of loved ones.