PhD Program in Historical studies
Cordoba and Alcalá del Valle
In Andalusia, but this time in the city of Cordoba, another residence of the Marquises of Benamejí occupies a prominent place. The Benamejí palace was built in the eighteenth century and is situated in calle Agustín Moreno. In reality composed of a series of buildings of different periods and styles, it was renovated, above all its façade, in 1874, by Rafael Luque. The main entrance is formed by an architrave in stone with the coat of arms of the marquises of Benamejí. Above the windows, on the ground floor, there are the coats of arms of the Aguayo and Bernuy families. The building now houses the “Dionisio Ortiz” school of arts and crafts. The palace was described by Pío Baroja in his novel La Feria de los Discretos, which takes place in the city of Cordoba.
In Alcalá del Valle, in the province of Cadiz, one can visit a hunting estate which belonged to the marquises. It is located within the city limits, but far from the city centre. It is rather odd for a palace or a country estate and perhaps there was another dwelling of the Marquises of Benamejí on the grounds. Built in the sixteenth century, unfortunately it currently finds itself in deplorable conditions. The walls, most of which have no pargeting, display good bossage masonry and are perfectly cut. The outer part is very sober, with a main gate which is emphasized by two robust columns. The main courtyard with arches compound a colonnade on which there is a second set of arches and pillars in addition to a double ramp of stairs.