Royal House of Infant

The Casita del Infante, also known as Casita de Arriba, is an elegant neoclassical building built between 1771 and 1773 by the architect Juan de Villanueva, commissioned by Charles III for his son, Infante Gabriel de Borbón. Its main purpose was to serve as a place of recreation and relaxation, especially for enjoying chamber music, one of Infante Gabriel's great passions.

The building has a square floor plan and is constructed of granite, with a sober and harmonious main façade, featuring a portico of Ionic columns. The central hallway is covered by an octagonal dome, and the rooms are arranged around a central hall designed for music.

It is surrounded by Italian-style gardens on descending terraces, designed so that music could be heard both inside and outside. The gardens were completed in 1774 by the Florentine Luis Lemmi, following Villanueva's plan, overlooking the natural surroundings of La Herrería.

Infante Gabriel himself, a great musical enthusiast and talented musician, even performed works by his teacher, Father Antonio Soler, during the inauguration of the Casita del Infante.

The original decoration was lost, mainly due to Napoleonic plunder; the current decor dates from the reigns of Charles IV and Ferdinand VII.

During the Franco regime, it was restored to serve as the residence of Juan Carlos de Borbón, then a student, and his bedroom and office are still preserved.

In 1988, King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia hosted a luncheon here in honor of Queen Elizabeth II of England and the Duke of Edinburgh.

The Casita del Infante is an architectural and scenic gem, less well-known than the Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo, but of great historical and artistic value, ideal for those seeking to learn about the palatial and cultural environment of the Spanish royal family in the 18th century.