Palacio de los Consejos

The Palacio de los Consejos, also known as the Palace of the Duke of Uceda, is a stately example of Spanish Baroque architecture from the early 17th century. It stands on Calle Mayor near the Church of Santa María de la Almudena and was originally built for the influential minister of King Philip III. After the duke's fall from power, the building passed into royal hands and for a time housed the Queen Mother, Mariana of Austria. Since the arrival of the Bourbon king Philip V in 1701, the palace has served as the seat of various royal councils and government offices. Today it stands as a historic witness to Madrid's political history and Spanish architecture.