Palace of the Countess of Lebrija

The Lebrija Palace or el Palacio de la Condesa de Lebrija can be found in one of Seville city centre’s busiest streets, Calle Cuna, parallel to the Calle Sierpes. Dating from the 16th century, it is considered one of the best residences in Seville. The palace is characterised by its collection of Roman mosaics, which paved almost the entire ground floor and lead the palace to be considered the ‘best paved house-palace in Europe’. There is also a great collection of well paraphets, amphoras, columns and sculptures of huge artist value. Its walls are a palette of architectural styles with elements such as Arabic-style arches, Plateresque decoration, tiles retrieved from ruined convent, a coffered ceiling from a 16th palace and a renaissance frieze, while its façade and layout remain true to typical Andalusian style.HistoryConstruction of the palace as a noble house began in the 15th Century and its façade in the 16th Century in typical Sevillian style. The palace then went on to be remodelled and extended between the 18th and 20th Centuries. When built it belonged to the Paiba family, the palace was then owned by various noblemen and women over the years including the Count of Corbos and the Counts of Miraflores. In 1901 it was bought by Regla Manjón Mergelina (Countess of Lebrija), who restored and reconstructed the palace to house her valuable collection of antiquities. She had a passion for archaeology and decided to adorn the palace with artefacts found during her excavations, as well as those bought from other archaeologists, friends of the Countess. The palace is 2500m², over two floors – the ground floor used during the summer and the upper floor during winter.