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Palacio Longoria

The Palacio Longoria, on the corner of Calle Fernando VI and Calle Pelayo, is one of the leading examples of Modernisme in Madrid. It was built between 1902 and 1904 by the architect José Grases Riera for the financier Javier González Longoria. Its most recognisable feature is the curved corner tower, which encloses a circular imperial staircase topped by a stained-glass dome by the Maumejean firm. Outside, the plant reliefs carved in stone, the sinuous forms of Franco-Belgian Art Nouveau and a wrought-iron railing with geometrised plant motifs stand out. The building changed hands several times — a dental company, a construction firm — until in 1950 it became the headquarters of the SGAE (Sociedad General de Autores y Editores), which still occupies it. In 2009 a court overturned an attempt to move the headquarters to another building, precisely because of the Longoria's heritage value. The interior is not open to visitors on a regular basis: it opens for occasional SGAE exhibitions and on Madrid heritage open days.

Things to do at Palacio Longoria: 4 missions

• If it coincides with an open day, go in to see the domeIf your visit coincides with an SGAE exhibition or with the Heritage Open Days, go in to see the imperial staircase and the stained-glass dome by the Maumejean firm above it.
• Look for the plant motifs on the railingFollow the wrought-iron railing that surrounds the building and find the geometrised plant motifs repeated on its bars.
• Photograph the curved corner towerStand on the corner of Fernando VI and Pelayo and photograph the curved tower that encloses the palace's imperial staircase, with its undulating stone forms.
• Find the plant reliefs carved in stoneLook at the façade and find the plant reliefs carved directly into the stone, one of the features that define the building as an example of Madrid Modernisme.

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Source: Wikipedia en español — Palacio Longoria