🏛️ In the heart of Seville, on Calle Cuna, very close to the Metropol Parasol and parallel to the famous Calle Sierpes, hides one of the city's most surprising architectural jewels: the Palace of the Countess of Lebrija.
A 16th-century palace house that goes unnoticed even by many Sevillians and yet holds a unique treasure in the world: 580 square metres of Roman mosaics that pave practically its entire ground floor. Considered the "best-paved palace house in Europe", this archaeological jewel was the dream of a woman ahead of her time: Regla Manjón Mergelina, Countess of Lebrija.
At The Sun Places, where luxury is defined by authenticity and unique cultural experiences, we want to invite you to discover this palace-museum that combines history, art and archaeology in the heart of Seville. Stay with us in our Luxury Apartments in Seville and be surprised by one of the most impressive collections of antiquities in the world.
This palace house is one of those visits that transform the perception of Seville. While most tourists concentrate on the Cathedral, the Alcázar or the Plaza de España, this space offers an intimate and fascinating experience that transports the visitor to the Roman era and the splendour of Seville's aristocracy.
Its history is the story of an exceptional woman, Countess Regla Manjón, who dedicated her life to rescuing the archaeological heritage of Italica and turning it into a work of art that we can admire today. Declared a National Monument in 1968, the palace opened its doors to the public as a museum in 1999 and has since become one of the city's best-kept secrets.
📜 History of the Palace of the Countess of Lebrija: from manor house to archaeological museum
The building began to be built in the 16th century as a noble residence, although its origins date back to the late Middle Ages. Over the centuries, it passed through different aristocratic families, including the Paiba family, the counts of los Corbos and the counts of Miraflores, and underwent several renovations between the 18th and 19th centuries that gave it its current appearance. However, the great change of this house came in 1901, when Regla Manjón Mergelina, Countess of Lebrija, bought the property.
The countess was a woman of exceptional culture, passionate about archaeology and classical art. She was the first woman academic of Fine Arts of Santa Isabel of Hungary and, later, corresponding academic of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando in Madrid. For thirteen years, she dedicated her life to restoring the house and turning it into a true museum to house her valuable collection of antiquities, with the collaboration of architect José Sáez y López.
🏛️ Countess Regla Manjón: the woman who rescued the legacy of Italica
The history of this house is inseparable from the figure of Regla Manjón Mergelina. Widow of officer Federico Sánchez Bedoya, the countess began to cultivate her passion for collecting after the death of her husband. Passionate about archaeology, she showed a special interest in the Roman site of Italica, from which most of the pavements that decorate the palace today come.
The countess acquired thousands of pieces that farmers found on the lands of Italica and that, otherwise, would have been lost. She also bought objects from antique dealers and collected pieces from different periods and cultures, such as vases, amphorae, columns, vessels and sculptures. Her work was essential to preserve a heritage that is now admired by visitors from around the world, turning the palace into a true living museum that reflects her passion for history and classical art.
🖼️ 580 square metres of Roman mosaics: the best-paved house in Europe
The main treasure of this palace is its impressive collection of Roman mosaics, considered the most important in the world in its genre. In total, the ground floor is paved with 580 square metres of these mosaics dating from the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD. These pieces, mostly from the archaeological site of Italica, depict mythological and allegorical scenes of great beauty and historical value.
Among the most outstanding pavements is the one that decorates the central courtyard, which dates from the 2nd and 3rd centuries and appeared in the olive grove of Los Palacios, property of the countess. Its central medallion represents the god Pan with the flute, in love with Galatea, to whom he dedicates his sounds and songs. Eight medallions represent scenes of Zeus's love adventures, and in the corners are the representations of the seasons. The flooring, an opus sectile composed of polychrome Roman marbles, completes this unique ensemble.
The palace is known as the "best-paved palace house in Europe", a title that reflects the exceptional nature of its collection, which covers practically the entire ground floor and some walls, creating a space of unparalleled beauty and uniqueness.
🏛️ A tour of the Palace of the Countess of Lebrija: two floors of history and art
The palace house has an area of approximately 2,500 square metres spread over two floors. Each of them offers a different experience.
Ground floor: the archaeological museum
The ground floor consists of several halls and courtyards where most of the archaeological remains and artistic collections are located. Here you can admire, in addition to the Roman pavements, a collection of well heads, amphorae, columns and sculptures, as well as Greco-Roman busts and mythological representations, along with other objects in Chinese and Persian style. Also noteworthy is the collection of Seville tiles from the 16th and 17th centuries and a staircase with a coffered ceiling in mahogany and gold from the 16th century.
Upper floor: the family home
On the upper floor, the rooms are kept as the family lived in them, until the last Count of Lebrija died in 1999. This part of the palace is visited with a guide and offers a fascinating insight into the life of Seville's aristocracy in the early 20th century. Here are the bedrooms, the living rooms and the library, which has more than 4,000 volumes. The upper floor also houses objects bought by the countess during her travels, as well as paintings by Van Dyck, Bruegel the Elder and paintings from the School of Murillo.
The palace was originally divided into winter residence (upper floor) and summer residence (ground floor), a common practice in Seville's manor houses.
🎭 The Palace of the Countess of Lebrija opens to the city: visits and activities
Since 1999, this space has been open to the public as a museum, allowing Sevillians and visitors to learn about its legacy. The ground floor can be visited freely and the upper floor with a guided tour. The palace also rents out its halls and courtyards for presentations, gala dinners, conferences and concerts, becoming a versatile space for cultural and corporate luxury events.
In addition, theatrical tours are offered behind closed doors, where the mythological stories hidden in the pavements are discovered and a true 19th-century palace full of works of art is toured.
🏆 What the Palace of the Countess of Lebrija represents for Seville and The Sun Places
This palace house represents the passion for history and culture of an exceptional woman, Regla Manjón, who knew how to see the value of the archaeological heritage of Italica and turned it into a work of art accessible to all.
For Seville, it is a hidden jewel that enriches the city's cultural offering and demonstrates that luxury is also in the knowledge and preservation of history.
For The Sun Places, this palace is a must-stop for travellers seeking authentic and cultural experiences, a place where Roman art meets the elegance of a Sevillian manor house.
Our Luxury Apartments in Seville are located in the heart of the city, just a few steps from this and other emblematic monuments such as the Metropol Parasol and the Cathedral of Seville, allowing you to enjoy history and culture with maximum comfort and exclusivity.
🎭 The Sun Places: the perfect plan to discover the Palace of the Countess of Lebrija
Friday: arrival and first contact with archaeology
- In the afternoon, visit the Palace of the Countess of Lebrija. If you go on a Friday at 10:00, you can take advantage of the free entry to the ground floor.
- Take a guided tour of the upper floor to discover the family rooms and the library.
Saturday: immersion in monumental Seville
Sunday: farewell with the taste of Seville
- Lunch at a century-old tavern.
The Sun Places: your luxury host to discover the Palace of the Countess of Lebrija
At The Sun Places we believe that history, art and luxury can go hand in hand. We offer you special packages to discover this palace that include private guided tours and gastronomic experiences in the best restaurants in the city.
Ready to discover the Palace of the Countess of Lebrija with The Sun Places?
📞 Contact us and let us design your perfect experience in Seville.
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