Madrid - Palacio de Liria 
The Palacio de Liria in Madrid, set in extensive grounds adjoining the imposing buildings of the Cuartel del Conde-Duque, is the residence of the Dukes of Alba, and is open to the public only by special appointment. The palace was begun in 1762, during the reign of Charles III, by the French architect Guilbert and completed in 1780 by Ventura Rodriguez.
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Must-see attractions nearby:
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Following the model of the Palacio Real, this massive rectangular building has severe Baroque facades articulated by pillars and columns. During the Civil War of 1936-39 the palace was burned to the ground, but the art treasures of the Alba family had been transferred by the Republican Government to the safety of the vaults of the Banco de España and escaped destruction. The palace was rebuilt after the Civil War.
Things to See
El Jardin del Palacio de Liria
The entrance leads into an informal woodland garden with shrubs and trees. Behind the palace is a formal garden with a central pool surrounded by a large clipped yews and a box parterre de broderie. There is a fine terrace with wisteria-covered pergola and a row of dog's graves behind a hedge.
Palacio de Liria - Art Collection
The rich art collection housed in the Palacio de Liria includes outstanding examples of the work of Andrea del Sarto, Titian, Veronese, Rubens, Ruysdael and Rembrandt. Spanish art is well represented, with works by El Greco, Ribera, Zurbarán, Velázquez, Murillo and especially Goya, including his portrait of the Duchess of Alba, painted in 1795, and a portrait of the Marquesa de Lazán.
