Palacio de Rojas

History

Our history

The main gate corresponds to n. º10, easily perceivable for being the largest one. The other two entrances, smaller, are identical.

The house was acquired by Mr. Cristóbal Almela Ferrer, who married Mrs. Dolores Rojas Galiano, the youngest daughter of the Count of Casa Rojas.

The main household was accessed, as we mentioned, through the main gate, where the hallway was, with a rectangular shape, tile paving and marble plinth. In the middle, a crystallized wooden gate closed the access to the carriage yard and the stables. One could always find horses there, due to the great fondness Mr. Cristóbal had for these animals. On top of the mangers, there were two lables with the names of his favourite horses: ‘’Galán’’ and ‘’Noble’’. At the back of this second part of the hallway, a forged iron door appeared, with some artistic drawings, and behind it, the blooming garden with a small pond and a grotto, where small colored fish scurried about. A small cascade streamed aloud, along the singing of birds, creating a haven of peace in the middle of the bustling neighbourhood.

The main stairway was located at the entrance, to the right, and before crossing the gate we mentioned. Formed by white marble stairs, wooden railings and forged iron bar, this stairway led to a door which was at the center of the wall, and through this, to the hall. Then, we arrived to the glass floor, so called for being completely paved in this material, in a dark, greenish color. Through the skylight and through the crystal floor, the courtyard received light in the area looking out to the stables.

From this last room, you could enter an enormous hall, which was paved with abundant floral decorations, and the ceilings displayed frescos representing allegories. A curved lookout allowed a complete view of the garden, while it gave brightness to the lounge. At night, the enormous rock crystal chandelier hanging in the center created a solemn and cozy atmosphere.

On both sides, two symmetrical doors led –to the left- to the oratory, with capacity for twelve people. To the right, we had the dining hall, with two wide balconies leading directly to the garden, wooden-beamed ceilings and gleaming white marble paving. All these dependencies brought you to the back of the house. The main façade, facing Quart street, bordered with three great halls equally paved with white marble. One had Elizabethan furniture, and some Asian decorative touches, for having the Viceroy of Philippines as a member of the family. He brought from the faraway islands many ornamental presents for the Palace decoration.

All of the above is now a memory, as the building was completely refurbished and enabled for housing, preserving only the main façade.

To conclude, we will refer briefly to the Díez de Rivera family. In addition to the illustrious characters previously mentioned, we will add that they hail from León, a Spanish northern region, which had family connections to the noble houses of Rojas and Almunia, Royal Maestranza of the Cavalry of Valencia, and to the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, to which Mr. Rafael Díez de Rivera y Almela presently belong.

judithThe Palace