Casa Cisneros
Casa Cisneros
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: Centro
Expansive plazas, local and foreign crowds, street performers, colorful lights, window shopping, restaurant signs promising the best paella, ham, and churros con chocolate- this is downtown Madrid, a collection of plazas interconnected by a network of side streets. Some of these side streets are wide pedestrian shopping routes, and some are hidden, so it's possible to duck in and out of the bustle as desired. The iconic Puerta del Sol is the giant crossroads of the city and a must-see attraction at any time of the day. The nearby Plaza Mayor, completely enclosed by historic red buildings, is an ideal place to grab a bite to eat outside, amidst scores of tables and people out for a stroll. Plaza Isabel II (also known as “Opera”) is smaller and a good meeting spot, and the stately Plaza del Oriente is the front yard of the Royal Palace. Centro can be touristy (pickpockets are unfortuately not unheard-of here), crowded, and sometimes gimmicky, but it is also the place to experience classic Madrid.
How to get there
- Ópera • 5 min walk
- La Latina • 6 min walk
Best nearby
Restaurants
9,014 within 3 miles
Attractions
1,506 within 6 miles
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
56 reviews
Excellent
21
Very good
26
Average
9
Poor
0
Terrible
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Jota2015Ce
Madrid, Spain9,686 contributions
Sep 2024 • Couples
Emblematic building built in 1537 by order of Benito Jiménez de Cisneros, nephew of Cardinal Cisneros. It is a Renaissance palace and one of the few examples of Renaissance civil architecture to be preserved in Madrid. It is built of stone and brick. The Gothic and Plateresque ornaments of the windows and the central balcony stand out. It has a bridge that connects it to the Casa de la Villa. It is owned by the Madrid City Council and is used for various institutional purposes.
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Written September 30, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TheShis
Tel Aviv, Israel43,249 contributions
Jan 2023
This is a lovely palace, located in Plaza de la Villa.
While the building was not open for visitors, it was still lovely to look at its nice architecture.
While the building was not open for visitors, it was still lovely to look at its nice architecture.
Written January 13, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tRAVellerOfTheW0rld
Almere, The Netherlands1,723 contributions
May 2014 • Couples
Walking through Calle Mayor from Plaza Mayor towards the Royal Palace, you pass Plaza de la villa on your left hand side. We found it worthwhile to enter the plaza, where we admired some of the oldest buildings of Madrid. One of these beautiful buildings is Casa Cisnero. It is built in 1537 by Benito Jiménez de Cisneros, the nephew of Cardinal Cisneros. He named the house in honour of the Carndinal, who founded the University of Alcalá. The front of Casa de Cisneros is in beautiful Plateresque decorative design. Plata means silver in Spanish and is a style from the late Gothic period of Castile. This is what makes Casa de Cisneros almost unique in Madrid. Around 1590 the house was used as a prison by King Philip II and later it was occupied by famous statesman. When the city of Madrid acquired ownership at the beginning of the 20th century, the house was integrated in the adjacent Casa de la Villa, which is the former old town hall. At that time the architects Bellido and Gonzalez restored the building and connected it to the Casa de la Villa by creating an arched passageway.
Also take a look at the fine statue of Álvaro de Bazán standing on a white pedestal in the middle of of Plaza de la Villa, surrounded by a wonderful arranged flower bed.
Also take a look at the fine statue of Álvaro de Bazán standing on a white pedestal in the middle of of Plaza de la Villa, surrounded by a wonderful arranged flower bed.
Written October 12, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Malgorzata
12,083 contributions
Aug 2020
It is one of the most emblematic buildings in Madrid. This impressive mansion was built in 1537 by the nephew of the famous Cardinal Cisneros, Benito Jimenez de Cisneros. The facade of the Plaza de la Villa was renovated around 1909, when Madrid acquired the ownership of the property. This palace served as a prison for the controversial Spanish royal secretary, Philip II, Antonio Perez. Also, here Count Romanones was born. Historic site in Madrid not to be missed.
Written July 12, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Neil K
Liverpool, UK828,902 contributions
Oct 2023 • Friends
Wandering around this area of the city I passed Casa Cisneros ,viewed this building many times on previous holidays to this most beautiful of city's and it still impresses me.
A great looking building ,constructed in 1537 ,it's a style of architecture known as Plateresque which is a combination of Gothic,Mudamejar and Renaissance and it's the style of architecture only found in Spain,it's one of the landmark structures of this city ,it's most definitely well worth checking out if you're in the area and it's easy to locate on Plaza Villa .
A great looking building ,constructed in 1537 ,it's a style of architecture known as Plateresque which is a combination of Gothic,Mudamejar and Renaissance and it's the style of architecture only found in Spain,it's one of the landmark structures of this city ,it's most definitely well worth checking out if you're in the area and it's easy to locate on Plaza Villa .
Written October 2, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Neil K
Liverpool, UK828,902 contributions
Sep 2019 • Friends
Love the architecture in Madrid, although not as famous as some of the other stunning plaza's in Madrid such as Plaza Mayor, Plaza De La Isabel II, Plaza De Oriente, Plaza De La Villa holds some fantastic buildings such as Casa De La Villa,Casa Y Torre De Los Lujanes and Casa Cisneros ,this is one of the most beautiful buildings in the square, built in 1537 ,the style of architecture known as Plateresque which combines touches of Gothic, Mudaméjar and Renaissance is a style of architecture only found in Spain,very beautiful, very photogenic, my twin brother Stephen and I were wandering along Calle Mayor taking a good look at the architecture and pub and bar hopping along this famous street and a visit to Plaza De La Villa was always on the cards,stunning architecture all around and to me Casa Cisneros is the most eye catching building in this square.
Most definitely well worth checking out if your planning a holiday to Madrid.
Most definitely well worth checking out if your planning a holiday to Madrid.
Written September 4, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dimitris L
Sydney, Australia51,573 contributions
Nov 2018 • Couples
Casa Cisneros is not just a house; it is a lot more than that, or at least it used to be. It dates to the early 16th century. It was meant for some very wealthy family, of course, and no expense was spared to make it look and feel like a real palace. It has been built in a very elaborate style, inside as well as on the outside. Its facade, particularly on calle Sacramento was the original main entrance. This explains why it is extremely elaborate and is today regarded as having significant historical and artistic value. Apparently this palace served at one time as a "prison" for the royal secretary to King Philip II of Spain. How "imprisoned" that fellow would have felt in this palace is anybody's wild guess! This palace is located in the Plaza de la Villa which is a lovely area with a number of equally stunning "houses". This area is close to other popular sites, such as Plaza Mayor, Mercado de san Miguel, and many others. Worth checking out.
Written July 10, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mikael F
Helsinki, Finland31,125 contributions
Apr 2018 • Couples
This palace was built in 1537 by the nephew of the famous Cardinal Cisneros. It is located on the Plaza de la Villa.
In 1909 the building was purchased by the City to integrate it into the offices of the Casa de la Villa, which was used as both prison and Town Hall.
In 2007 the City's administration was moved to the Palacio de Cibeles.
In 1909 the building was purchased by the City to integrate it into the offices of the Casa de la Villa, which was used as both prison and Town Hall.
In 2007 the City's administration was moved to the Palacio de Cibeles.
Written May 3, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nomadman411978
London, UK3,144 contributions
Nov 2017 • Solo
Casa Cisneros is a fine old medieval building in Plaza Villa; one of several which makes this square one of the most interesting in the city. Solid having stood the test of time.
Written November 26, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sheepygold
london5,505 contributions
Mar 2017 • Couples
Like the previous reviewer my wife and I did the same stroll towards the Real Palace and stopped here to take photos of the square and building behind. There were some lovely flower displays but armed guards around so this building may have some kind of official capacity?
Written March 13, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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