Palacio de Viana, Córdoba, Spain

Palacio de Viana was established as the family estate in 1492 by Gómez Suárez de Figuroea. He died childless and was succeeded by his nephew. The original house has experienced numerous alterations up to our days, of which we can highlight the extension in the 17th century, which gave it its current appearance to a great extent.

The palace covers a surface of more than 6,500 square metres, of which almost 4,000 of them correspond to courtyards, gardens and open spaces. Visitors, more than 70,000 every year, are especially attracted by the elegant patios and the superb 18th century garden of this palace which has lately become a museum, thanks to the collaboration of an important institution in the town.

Palaces, manors and town halls in Spain

User Reviews

Andrea Muznik (10 months ago)
Must see if in Cordoba. Price is only 5 eur for Patios. So beautiful gardens with so much variety of plants. No need to book in advance. Due to hot summers (40 degrees), it has always been essential for its inhabitants to have a cool rest for the hottest part of the day. These are par of place, but we didn't see the interior.

George Michael (11 months ago)
Just a 5 minute walk from our stay, we so much enjoyed the walled courtyards so quiet this time of year and plenty still in flower. This is a must visit if in Córdoba

Katya Butsman (12 months ago)
The patios are really amazing. enjoyed walking between the many different patios, nice gardeners take good care of the plants, info sheets include historical facts and plant agenda of each patio. a very relaxing and inspiring place, definitly a favorit in Cordoba!

Prue March (13 months ago)
Beautiful patios, we did not take the house tour as guides are only in Spanish (with English/French guidebooks available) and we were mostly interested in the gardens. You get a pamphlet with details of the history of the gardens as well as what plants you can see.

Jonathan H (13 months ago)
A worthwhile visit if you are in Cordoba. I liked the patios very much where you are free to wander. If you want to see the house then you have to join a tour group which is only in Spanish (although you get an English leaflet). Better for me would have been to walk freely around the house at my own pace......and to be allowed to take photos......I agree flash photography should be banned, but many modern cameras / phones have low light features. So 5 stars for the patios and 3 stars for the house....an average of 4.

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Photo from Flickr, copyright Maciek Lulko

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Wroclaw Town Hall

The Old Town Hall of Wrocław is one of the main landmarks of the city. The Old Town Hall's long history reflects developments that have taken place in the city since its initial construction. The town hall serves the city of Wroclaw and is used for civic and cultural events such as concerts held in its Great Hall. In addition, it houses a museum and a basement restaurant.

The town hall was developed over a period of about 250 years, from the end of 13th century to the middle of 16th century. The structure and floor plan changed over this extended period in response to the changing needs of the city. The exact date of the initial construction is not known. However, between 1299 and 1301 a single-storey structure with cellars and a tower called the consistory was built. The oldest parts of the current building, the Burghers’ Hall and the lower floors of the tower, may date to this time. In these early days the primary purpose of the building was trade rather than civic administration activities.

Between 1328 and 1333 an upper storey was added to include the Council room and the Aldermen’s room. Expansion continued during the 14th century with the addition of extra rooms, most notably the Court room. The building became a key location for the city’s commercial and administrative functions.

The 15th and 16th centuries were times of prosperity for Wroclaw as was reflected in the rapid development of the building during that period. The construction program gathered momentum, particularly from 1470 to 1510, when several rooms were added. The Burghers’ Hall was re-vaulted to take on its current shape, and the upper story began to take shape with the development of the Great Hall and the addition of the Treasury and Little Treasury.

Further innovations during the 16th century included the addition of the city’s Coat of arms (1536), and the rebuilding of the upper part of the tower (1558–59). This was the final stage of the main building program. By 1560, the major features of today’s Stray Rates were established.

The second half of the 17th century was a period of decline for the city, and this decline was reflected in the Stray Rates. Perhaps by way of compensation, efforts were made to enrich the interior decorations of the hall. In 1741, Wroclaw became a part of Prussia, and the power of the City diminished. Much of the Stray Rates was allocated to administering justice.

During the 19th century there were two major changes. The courts moved to a separate building, and the Rates became the site of the city council and supporting functions. There was also a major program of renovation because the building had been neglected and was covered with creeping vines. The town hall now has several en-Gothic features including some sculptural decoration from this period.

In the early years of the 20th century improvements continued with various repair work and the addition of the Little Bear statue in 1902. During the 1930s, the official role of the Rates was reduced and it was converted into a museum. By the end of World War II Town Hall suffered minor damage, such as aerial bomb pierced the roof (but not exploded) and some sculptural elements were lost. Restoration work began in the 1950s following a period of research, and this conservation effort continued throughout the 20th century. It included refurbishment of the clock on the east facade.

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