List of missing monuments in Spain

Real Alcázar de Madrid

This list of missing monuments in Spain includes remarkable buildings, castles, royal palaces, medieval towers, medieval walls and other remarkable built structures that no longer exist in Spain.

Existed hundred destroyed landmarks that were all over Spain, although still standing much wonders, many of these monuments could well be world heritage sites or be a proofs of the history of its cities in today. For a more complete list see the Category:Destroyed landmarks in Spain.

Real Alcázar de Madrid

The defunct Real Alcázar de Madrid was located on the site where now the Royal Palace of Madrid stands. Built as a Muslim fortress in the 9th century, the building was expanded and being improved over the centuries, especially since the 16th century when it became a royal palace according to the choice of Madrid as the capital of the Spanish Empire. Nevertheless, this great building still retained its original name of Alcázar.

Famous both for its artistic richness and its irregular architecture, was the residence of the Spanish Royal Family and the seat of the Court from the dynasty of the Trastámara until its destruction in a fire on Christmas Eve of 1734, under Philip V. Many of its art treasures, including more than 500 paintings were lost, while others might be redeemed (as Las Meninas by Velázquez).

On Christmas Eve of 1734, the Court moved to the Palace of El Pardo, it is declared a terrible fire in the Royal Alcázar of Madrid. The fire, which may have originated in a chamber of the painter of the court the French Jean Ranc, spread rapidly, without being able to be controlled in any moment. it spread over four days and was of such intensity that some objects silver were melted by the heat and the remains of metal (along with precious stones) had to be collected in buckets.

The recovery of many paintings of the Alcázar was left on the back burner, given the difficulties involved in its size and location at various heights and multiple rooms. Some of these paintings were embedded in the walls. Hence a number of paintings that were kept in the building at the time ("The expulsion of the Moors" of Velázquez) is lost, and others (like Las Meninas) unpins frames were saved and thrown through the windows. However, part of the pictorial collections had been previously transferred to the Palace del Buen Retiro, to preserve the renovations that were taking place inside the Royal Alcázar, which saved them from probable destruction.

Extinguished the fire, the building was reduced to rubble. The walls that remained standing had to be demolished, given its state of disrepair. Four years after his disappearance, in 1738, Philip V ordered the construction of the current Royal Palace of Madrid, whose works spread over three decades. The new building was first inhabited by Carlos III in 1764.[1]

Palacio del Real de Valencia

Palacio del Real de Valencia

The Palacio del Real de Valencia was the former palace of the Kings of Valencia in the "Cap i Casal" (head and common house) of the Kingdom, as it was known in the city. Also known as the "Palace of the 300 keys" in reference to the number of rooms that once had.

Officially its demolition in the War of Independence, March 12, 1810, an alleged military strategy for not to allow a stronghold from where could become strong the invading Napoleonic troops and bomb the city.

Although of little avail, as they attacked by other flank and the Spanish troops ended up giving the city without a fight, to change to go to Alicante, all this despite that in the first siege, the June 28, 1808, Valencia defeated the French led by Moncey in the Towers of Quart, that with many casualties were driven back to Madrid.[2]

Late-19th century Valencian political Teodoro Llorente quotes "What happened to you, Palacio del Real? noble mansion of the Valencian monarchs, centre and symbol of our ancient and glorious kingdom (…) All disappeared with the institutions that you represented, the illustrious autonomy of that kingdom that you were head..."[3]

Torre Nueva de Zaragoza

Torre Nueva de Zaragoza

It was locally renowned due to its inclination. Built in the 16th century to give the time to the city, in the construction team attended the three cultures that lived in Aragon: Christian Juan de Sariñena, Jewish Juce de Galí and Muslims Ezmel Allabar and master Monferriz, all under the direction of Gabriel Gombao. Over the years it became the symbol of the city, was the highest Mudéjar tower has been built (80 m in 1540) and a diameter of 11 and a half meters, with a floor of 16-pointed star.During the sieges it served for follow the French movements

Shortly after starting already was appreciated the inclination of the tower although it said there was no danger its stability, in 1892 the City Council decided to demolish the tower, justifying the decision with the inclination and the probable ruin of the work. The decision was opposed by many intellectuals and part of the population, but efforts to save it were in vain. Once crumbled the citizens acquired bricks as memories.[4]

At present, there is only a sculpture of a boy looking at the cusp of the old tower and a star-shaped mark sixteen points on the floor of the square remembers the location of the Torre Nueva.

Palacio del Buen Retiro, Madrid

Palacio del Buen Retiro

another great royal palace. Built in 1630 by order of Philip IV, It lasted little standing because it was destroyed by the French in the War of Independence. Isabella II tried to rebuild it, but could just demolish almost entirely.

Curiously, the gardens were saved, converted today in the Buen Retiro Park. These were also destroyed during the war by the French, but Ferdinand VII started the rebuilding and ended up becoming what these are today.

The palace itself a small part is preserved. On the one hand, the Salón de Reinos, which for many years housed the Museo del Ejército. The other part that remains is the Casón del Buen Retiro (the former Ballroom of the palace). Today is the Center of Studies of the Prado Museum, and at the time housed the Picasso's Guernica, before being transferred to the Reina Sofía.[5]

Castillo de Burgos

Castillo de Burgos

The Burgos Castle was founded in 884 by Count Diego as a Christian defensive fortification line running south during the Reconquista. Alfonso VIII in the 12th century converted in Alcázar, residence of kings. Its use as a palace will remain until the 16th century with the Catholic Monarchs. Its decline began in the 17th century. During the French occupation, the June 15, 1813, the French army decided to leave the Castle of Burgos and destroyed by explosives. The explosion resulted in the total destruction of all the castle grounds. At present there are only walls.[6]

Castle of La Suda, Lleida

Built as Alcazaba by the Moorish in 882. It was destroyed by explosives in the War of Independence. Only walls remain.

Palacio de Cercadilla, Córdoba

(Archaeological Site of Cercadilla). An immense complex comparable to Diocletian's Palace in Split. Between many hypothesis scientifics argue that belonged to Maximian, who co-governed with Diocletian the Roman Empire in the late 3rd century. It could be its headquarters for the campaign against the Mauritanian pirates that he wiped chasing to the few survivors to the Atlas Mountains.[7]

The palace was discovered when rising the ground to make the AVE station in Córdoba, despite having the potential to be one of the greatest archaeological treasures of Europe, was destroyed almost entirely as the high speed train was an election promises of Felipe González.

Before the AVE, the site was never fully excavated, due to time constraints and the fear that was classified as a World Heritage Site by Unesco cultural interest, so doesn't know it its true extent. There is little that is known of this palace, for the noblest parts of it were destroyed or are buried under the excavation of the routes, initially a park, today apartment buildings.

Castillo Alcázar de Segorbe

Castillo Alcázar de Segorbe

(Castle Alcázar of Segorbe). Very little was what finally remain from the old Alcázar. It was so few that it is almost impossible today to imagine how it was that monumental building that for over a thousand years was the residence of the most important lords, dukes and kings.

Bernardo Espinalt, in 1784, in his Atlante Español, insists that the urban expansion of Segorbe was completely open outside the medieval Walls, which had led to the need to establish a new Walls that largely relied on the old layout, being the rest new construction. The new Walls had nine gates, which were to be those of Teruel, Argén, Sopeña, Cárrica, Castellnovo, Valencia, la Maza and Altura, gates that are well documented in contemporary and later writings. The last years of the century lead the decisive ruin of the millennial Alcázar.

Bishop Lorenzo Gómez de Haedo decides the construction of a new hospital and House of Mercy, and think of the Alcázar for the extraction of materials with which to carry out the work. The demolition began in March 1784. Finally it reach the total destruction of the main architectural ensemble of Segorbe, which had sheltered the city for centuries. After downing only it remained standing a few remains of the walls closing the enclosure on the southern slopes of the rise, while the above constructions were completely destroyed. The Bishop Aguilar seems finally aware of the huge irreparable loss this enclave, although it is late. In fact for years that it was not used as a stately home and a strategic summit it did not use since the beginning of the century. In any case, its facilities, at least some, had to remain in good conditions, as annually was the setting for the votive festivals celebrated by the Cathedral for Our Lady of La Leche. This Virgin was the owner of the Chapel of the Alcázar from the 16th century and its image remained in the Castle until the demolition. Currently, there are some fortifications built to mark the Carlist Wars.

Castell del Patriarca, Tarragona

It was a monastery-fortress built in the 12th century in the highest part of Tarragona, in what today would be the area between the streets Merceria, Sant Llorenç and Baixada nova del Patriarca. In it lived the monks and the archbishop of the Cathedral of the city, and was established as a fortress against possible Muslim attacks from the sea. During the war of independence, and after the brutal siege and battle of Tarragona, the castle was taken by the Frenchs to later be blown up with explosives barrels in 1813 when they it retired.[8]

Palacio Arzobispal, Alcalá de Henares

The entire set dating from 1209. Two thirds were destroyed as a result of a devastating fire in 1939, during the Spanish Civil War. What remains is the product of an almost completely renovation in 1996.[9]

Abbey of Santa Engracia, Zaragoza

Established in the 2nd century. was destroyed in 1801 by the Frenchs during the War of Independence. Today there are only remains preserved inside the Church of Santa Engracia.

Palacio de Ripalda, Valencia

Palacio de Ripalda

The Palacio de Ripalda, it was home of the Countess of Ripalda, when she died her heirs sold it. It was demolished in 1969.

Palacio de Sánchez Dalp, Seville

It was located in the old Plaza de El Duque. In its place rises the El Corte Inglés store Plaza del Duque.

Casino de la Arrabassada, Barcelona

had a great hotel, a casino, a botanical garden and modern amusement park in its time (and dangerous, because the attractions were no security measures or braking systems or to prevent derailment). The park was closed in 1911, the facilities were destroyed by demolition in 1940.

Antigua Real Armería de Felipe II, Madrid

(Spanish for: Former Royal Armory of Philip II). It was an annex to the Real Alcázar de Madrid, but this building survived the fire. It was located in what is now the courtyard between the Almudena Cathedral and the Royal Palace, but closer to the facade of the cathedral. It was destroyed by fire in 1884.

Alcázar de Plasencia

Due to unfortunate maintenance it were given, and that were demolishing progressively different parts to create plots of houses and extensions of streets came at the beginning of 20th century a ruin, at which time it was completely demolished to construct a Civil Guard barracks.

Castell del Camp de la Bota, Barcelona

Built in 1858. It was demolished in 1960s. Now rises a Zona Forum.

Hotel Florida, Madrid

It was located in the Plaza de Callao, in the center of Madrid. Besides its architectural value, it housed many international journalists during the Civil War, including the famous Ernest Hemingway. Constructed a El Corte Inglés building store after its demolition in 1964.

Iglesia de La Merced, Málaga

Was converted in dilapidated after Convents burning.

Teatro López de Ayala de Badajoz

It suffered a fire in the Civil War. In the 1990s Ibarra & co. were responsible for restoring, this not was restored according to the original building.

Convento de San Francisco, Vitoria-Gasteiz

Demolished in the 1930s to make the Government Subdelegation.

Iglesia de San Pedro Mártir (Calatayud)

The main reason for its demolition was that obstruct traffic. The 20th century Spanish writer Gaya Nuño described the event as follows: "And still today shudders this brutal mayored which deprived us of one of the most fascinating Mudéjar monuments of our Medieval Ages".

Palacio de la Ribera, Valladolid

It was a summer residence of Philip III. Its construction took place between 1602 and 1605. This palace had a hallway, a chapel, a main staircase, four rooms on the main floor and three on top, all with painted ceilings. Also had two high galleries, an extensive gardens, and the first city zoo. Its deterioration was such that in 1761 allowed dismantle it and its stones and azulejos were used in other buildings like the Royal Palace of Madrid. Today it can see a large wall built in masonry and a living room built in brick. This last room, which was decorated with azulejos and this room had a fountain. Currently, the City Hall has recovered two walls of the foundation, one of stone and one of brick, and a small outbuilding that can be visited and had been hidden by land, trees and weeds for centuries.

Convento de Santo Tomás (Madrid)

It was built by José Donoso in the mid-16th century, as a cabinet intended for theological education, under the Dominican Real Monasterio de Nuestra Señora de Atocha. one of the most important Baroque architecture that have existed in Madrid. In it were taught public studies with a total of eight professorships, because of this was also known as Colegio de Santo Tomas. Three years after suffering a great fire, it was demolished in 1875. It was located on Calle Atocha, in the block where today stands the present Parroquia de Santa Cruz and several apartment buildings.

Palau de les Belles Arts, Barcelona

It can be the only example of Beaux-Arts architecture in Spain. Built during the 1888 Barcelona Universal Exposition. During the bombing of the Legionary Italian Aviation in March 1938 (in the Civil War) it dropped a bomb in the middle of the Central Hall. It was demolished in 1942.

El Gran Hotel de París, Seville

In its place stand an El Corte Inglés store.

Antiguo Mercado de La Cebada, Madrid

(Spanish for: Former Market of La Cebada). Built in 1875. It was demolished in 1958.

Convento de San Francisco (Valladolid)

It was founded in the 12th century. Christopher Columbus died in Valladolid in May 1506 and was buried in the church of this Franciscan convent. During the celebration of the 500th of his death, the city of Valladolid placed a plaque in his memory at the place where this convent was. It was demolished in 1836.

Iglesia del Buen Suceso, Madrid

It was built in 1611 and demolished in 1974.

Fábrica de harinas "La Molinera" building, Vigo

Built in 1898. It was demolished in 1970s.

Noviciado de la Compañía de Jesús (Madrid)

It Baroque church and set was located in Calle Ancha de San Bernardo, where currently rises the big house of the former Universidad Central. It was founded on April 15, 1602. After being used as a barracks for military engineers, in 1843 the old building of the Novitiate became to host the Universidad Central, which was none other than the Universidad Complutense, moved from Alcalá de Henares to Madrid. That same year the original facade was demolished and work began remodeling the building, under the direction of Francisco Javier Mariátegui, for use as an academic center.

Little remains of that Novitiate House: of the church survive the perimeter walls, used for the building of the university auditorium, although its original plan in a Latin cross was turned into a huge ellipse, similar to the Spanish Senate. The rest of the complex remains the spaces of the two cloisters, converted into courtyards, around which are distributed the various offices and classrooms.

Ayuntamiento de Ribeira

(City Hall of Ribeira). Of Indiano colonial style.

Palacio del Marqués de La Sonora, Málaga

In 2006 it was acquired by the Sociedad Azucarera Larios to build a 5-star hotel. Citing the "poor condition" of the interior, completely demolished, leaving only the facade.

Castillo Palomar, Zaragoza

Built in 1889, had the form of a particular castle. It was demolished in 1969.

Antiguo Mercado de los Mostenses, Madrid

(Spanish for: Former Market of los Mostenses). Built in late-19th century. It was demolished in 1920s, on the occasion of the works of the Gran Vía.

Palacio del Marqués de Palomares , Seville

In the Plaza del Duque was the vast palace of the Dukes of Medina Sidonia (los Guzmanes), it was destroyed after the French Napoleonic invasion and in whose site in the mid-19th century was built the del Marqués de Palomares. Since 1960 were made efforts of its sale to the City Hall, Civil Government, ministerial delegations, etc., but none of these public bodies wanted or could cope with the acquisition of this impressive property. In 1964 it acquired Jorge Bardeau and after to the El Corte Inglés, being demolished in 1965. Now in its place stands an El Corte Inglés store.

Eclectic monuments in Galicia

A section of the former Balneario de A Toxa
Edificio Castromil

Modernisme monuments

Hotel Internacional

The hotel was a building of 5,000 square meters that was built in the record time of 53 days. It was designed as a temporary facility to welcome visitors to the exhibition and was demolished after the event ended.

The building really liked among the people of Barcelona, but the ground was transferred temporarily by Port of Barcelona, and not allowed the purchase or permanent assignment, so it ordered its demolition. Several associations were created to save the building, but were unsuccessful.

Modernisme also was appreciated in its railings with natural motifs. Born as apartment building, while in its low was installed in the Café París which gives its name to the building. The building however change much over the years, its modernisme elements were peeling off the facade, the closing and the wrought and. In the 1920s had lost much of its Modernisme decor. The Gran Café de Paris had in the first floor a billiard room, and was a meeting place for the upper middle class and the bourgeoisie, as well as bullfighters and artists. During the Civil War changed its name to "Café de Roma". Was victim of the pick as many other buildings in the 1970s to make way for the building now occupied by the Burger King of La Campana.

Civil Palaces in Madrid

Neoclassical monuments

This building-minded Roman temple, inspired in the British Museum, was built between 1905–1907 by the architect Francisco Franco Pineda as a residence, clinic, laboratory and scientific agencies of the doctor Murga, who ordered its construction as a private initiative. The garden of the building was flanked by sculptures allegories referring to hygiene and baths. These sculptures, made of stone, were the work of Adolfo López Rodriguez, Sevillian sculptor of the early 20th century.

Since its closure in 1938 was completely abandoned until that its demolition was ordered in 1958, without even mentioning its restoration to adapt it to other uses. the sculptures of the garden also were destroyed in the demolition. Instead was built a new health center.

City Walls and Gates Walls

The city was surrounded by the entire wall and doors, many at the style of La Macarena, of which few traces remain. Gates: Puerta de Córdoba (still stands), Arco de la Macarena, (still stands), Puerta de Córdoba (still stands), Puerta del Sol, Puerta Osario, Puerta de Carmona, Puerta de la carne, Puerta de Jerez, Postigo del carbón, Postigo del aceite, Puerta del arenal, Puerta de Triana, Puerta de la Barqueta, Puerta de San Fernando, Puerta Real, Puerta de San Juan, Postigo de la Feria, Postigo de San Antonio.

Squares and bridges

Big sculptures

Historic neighborhoods

Barrio de La Coracha

Towns

Modern buildings

The area where it was had a huge social and economic boom in the years 1980s-90s and land prices soared to very high heights. Despite being an iconic and very liked by the locals, the building owners negotiated its sale and decided that the site was worth more than the building itself and it was in their best interests to demolish it and build a mass of offices.

The city of Madrid did not include the building in the list of protected places in the capital, which would have prevented its demolition. But neither the protests of neighbors, nor the controversy in the press as well as the manifest discomfort of its creator, Fisac, not could prevent its demolition. Between 1 and 4 August 1999, the Pagoda was demolished.

See also

References

External links

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Friday, May 06, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.