🖼️ There are women who define an era. And Cayetana Fitz-James Stuart, XVIII Duchess of Alba, was undoubtedly one of them.
On the centenary of her birth, the Palacio de las Dueñas in Seville hosts the exhibition "Cayetana. Grande de España", an intimate and fascinating tribute to the woman who, with her indomitable character and passion for life, became an icon of the global aristocracy.
The exhibition, which will remain open until 14 September 2026, brings together more than 200 pieces including works of art, haute couture dresses, photographs and personal objects.
At The Sun Places, where luxury is defined by authenticity and connection with the territory, we want to invite you to discover this unique exhibition that reveals the most human and vibrant side of the Duchess.
Stay with us in our Luxury Apartments in Seville and immerse yourself in the legacy of one of the most fascinating women in recent Spanish history.
The Cayetana de Alba Exhibition at the Palacio de las Dueñas is not a conventional exhibition. It is an emotional journey through the life of a woman who knew how to combine tradition and modernity, who was a pioneer in the defence of cultural heritage and who maintained an unbreakable bond with Seville, the city she always carried in her heart.
The Palacio de las Dueñas, her favourite residence and the place where she died in 2014, is the perfect setting for this tribute.
Inaugurated on 4 March 2026 by King Felipe VI, the exhibition has been curated by her daughter, Eugenia Martínez de Irujo, and Cristina Carrillo de Albornoz, who have worked for three years to bring together pieces never before shown to the public.
🏛️ The Palacio de las Dueñas: a legendary heritage setting
The Palacio de las Dueñas, located in the heart of Seville, is one of the most emblematic assets of the House of Alba's heritage. Built between the 15th and 16th centuries, it combines Gothic-Mudejar and Renaissance architectural elements, being a historic emblem of the residence of the House of Alba.
It was also the birthplace of the poet Antonio Machado in 1875, who evoked it in his verses with the light and murmur of its fountains.
The Palacio de las Dueñas has been a residence and meeting point for personalities such as Alfonso XIII, Jacqueline Kennedy and Grace Kelly, and was the setting for Cayetana's wedding in 1947. The exhibition takes place in different spaces of the palace, including the Sala del Patio del Aceite, restored for two years to host this exhibition.
🏛️ The House of Alba: the most powerful lineage in the Spanish nobility
To understand the magnitude of the Cayetana de Alba Exhibition, it is necessary to know the history of the House of Alba, the best-known noble lineage in Spain and one of the most prominent in all of Europe.
Its origins date back to the 14th century, when the Álvarez de Toledo family began to rise in the Castilian court thanks to their unconditional loyalty to the crown.
It was in 1472 that García Álvarez de Toledo received the title of first Duke of Alba, inaugurating a lineage that has lasted for more than five centuries.
The third Duke of Alba, Fernando Álvarez de Toledo y Pimentel, known as the Great Duke of Alba, was one of the most prominent figures of the 16th century, serving Charles V and Philip II as a military man and governor of the Netherlands.
The House of Alba has always been linked to the history of Spain, accumulating one of the largest fortunes in the country, with palaces such as Liria in Madrid, Monterrey in Salamanca and las Dueñas in Seville, in addition to 19 castles and extensive agricultural properties.
Its artistic legacy is equally impressive, with masterpieces by Goya, Titian, El Greco, Rubens and Murillo, as well as a historical archive that includes autograph letters from Christopher Columbus.
🖼️ 200 pieces that tell an extraordinary life at the Cayetana de Alba Exhibition
The Cayetana de Alba Exhibition at the Palacio de las Dueñas brings together more than 200 pieces from the archive and collections of the House of Alba, many of them shown together for the first time. Among the treasures on display are:
- Portraits of Cayetana by Ignacio Zuloaga, painted when she was a child and teenager.
- Sculptures by Mariano Benlliure, one of the great Spanish sculptors of the 20th century.
- Haute couture dresses by Dior and Balenciaga, reflecting her status as an international style icon.
- The 1957 Bentley that Cayetana gave to her first husband, the Duke Luis Martínez de Irujo.
- The Venetian velvet mantle she gave to the Brotherhood of the Gitanos for the Virgen de las Angustias, a testament to her deep devotion to Seville's Holy Week.
- Historical photographs alongside international figures such as Jacqueline Kennedy, Queen Elizabeth II of England and Grace Kelly.
- Family albums, letters and documents showing her most intimate life and her correspondence with key figures of the 20th century.
👑 The Duchess of Alba: a unique figure in Spanish history
Cayetana Fitz-James Stuart (1926-2014) was the XVIII Duchess of Alba, the woman with the highest number of noble titles in the world: five times a duchess, 14 times a Grandee of Spain. She inherited the dukedom at just 27 years old and dedicated her life to preserving and disseminating the immense artistic legacy of the House of Alba.
Beyond her social relevance, she stood out for her defence of historical heritage, her cultural patronage and her strong connection with Andalusia and especially with Seville.
She was a woman ahead of her time: modern in her lifestyle, independent in her decisions and deeply faithful to her roots.
In the words of her son, the current Duke of Alba, "my mother was very liberal, very modern and at the same time very conservative and a lover of tradition, of Institutions. She always surprised."
🖼️ The five sections of the Cayetana de Alba Exhibition
The exhibition is structured into five thematic blocks that allow a complete reading of the figure of the Duchess of Alba:
- From Tanuca to Duchess: Traces her childhood and youth, showing her education and the weight of her lineage
- Around art: Reveals her role as a patron, collector and painter
- Ambassador of Spain: Shows her role in the international projection of the House of Alba
- Grande of fashion: A journey through her style and her haute couture dresses
- The pop duchess: Delves into her passion for flamenco, popular culture and bullfighting
🏆 What does the Cayetana de Alba Exhibition represent for Seville and The Sun Places?
The Cayetana de Alba Exhibition at the Palacio de las Dueñas represents Seville's capacity to host top-level cultural events and its commitment to the dissemination of historical heritage. The Duchess of Alba, who always felt "Sevillian and Andalusian", as her daughter Eugenia highlighted, chose this city to be remembered.
For The Sun Places, this exhibition embodies the luxury of authenticity: the opportunity to discover Seville's history and culture through the life of one of its most beloved figures.
Our Luxury Apartments in Seville are located in the heart of the city, just a few steps from the Palacio de las Dueñas, so you can enjoy this experience with maximum comfort and exclusivity.
🎭 The Sun Places: the perfect plan to discover the Cayetana de Alba Exhibition
Friday: arrival and first contact with the Duchess of Alba
- In the afternoon, visit the Palacio de las Dueñas to discover the Cayetana de Alba Exhibition
Saturday: immersion in Sevillian culture
- Night: dinner at a century-old tavern in the Santa Cruz Neighbourhood
Sunday: farewell with Cayetana's legacy
- Morning: second visit to the Palacio de las Dueñas to discover the rooms and details you may have missed
The Sun Places: your luxury host in Cayetana de Alba's Seville
At The Sun Places we believe that art and luxury can go hand in hand.
That's why we offer you special packages to discover the Cayetana de Alba Exhibition at the Palacio de las Dueñas that include private visits to the exhibition with expert guides on the history of the House of Alba, priority access and gastronomic experiences in the best restaurants in the city.
Ready to discover the Cayetana de Alba Exhibition with The Sun Places?
📞 Contact us and let us design your perfect cultural experience in Seville.
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