Palacio de Los Superunda (Ávila)

Palace in Ávila

Exterior Palacio De Los Superunda — CC BY-SA 3.0 / Rowanwindwhistler

Courtyard Of Palacio De Los Superunda — CC BY-SA 4.0 / Miguel Hermoso Cuesta

Exterior Photo Of Palacio De Los Superunda — CC BY-SA 2.0 / Luis Rogelio HM

The Palacio de Los Superunda is a Renaissance palace located in Ávila. This construction was built in Renaissance style around 1580 by the Alderman Pedro Ochoa Aguirre. He was a famous alderman who in 1521 settles in Ávila coming from Navarra.

In 1580 Ochoa Aguirre orders some works that indicate a transformation of a building already built. Finally it is inherited at the beginning of the 19th century by D. José Manso de Velasco y Chaves, Count of Superunda and Marquis of Bermudo.

In the 20th century, it was bought by the Italian painter Guido Caprotti, who had been associated with the town since 1916. It was designated a National Monument in 1992 and has recently been restored. There are plans for it to be used as the town’s museum, with an exhibition of many of the works by the aforementioned artist.

What does the Palacio de Los Superunda Look like?

The front is made of granite ashlar work and flanked by two towers. The ground floor has two windows that flank an entrance with a moulded lintel and door posts; and the upper floor has three balconies finished off with coats of arms. Inside, the lintelled courtyard is of particular interest thanks to its simplicity and austere decoration, together with the staircase, which has a bust of Jesus Christ thought to be by Vasco de la Zarza.

On the upper floor there are three balconies, topped with shields. Inside, its lintelled patio stands out, of great simplicity and decorative austerity, and the staircase, with a bust of Jesus Christ attributed to Vasco de la Zarza.

The original structure is preserved. In addition, in the back part, the dependencies destined to the service and the kitchens are conserved.

Who was Guido Caprotti?

Guido Caprotti was an Italian painter who lived for many years in the Superunda Palace. He was born in the Italian city of Monza in 1887. Caprotti had a relationship with art since he was a child. His grandfather was a painter and his father was a friend of the musician Giuseppe Verdi. At the age of 17 he began studying at the Brera Academy of Fine Arts in Milan. Caprotti later traveled to various countries in Europe. He lived in Paris where he met important artists. On a train trip through Spain, Caprotti had to stay in Ávila for a few days due to a snowfall. The city enchanted him and he decided to stay and live in Ávila. The pictures that Caprotti painted were about the daily life of the citizens of Ávila. The Ávila City Council named Caprotti an adoptive son.

The Palacio de Los Superunda (Ávila) appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Ávila!

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