Casita del Príncipe

About the museum

The Casita del Príncipe, also known as the Casita de Abajo, was a leisure pavilion that Juan de Villanueva built between 1771 and 1775 for Carlos, then Prince of Asturias and future Charles IV. It is a rectangular, two-storey neoclassical block, with front and rear gardens and a park with native and non-native species. Between 1781 and 1784 a rear wing was added. As it was used only during the day, the house has no bedrooms.

On the ground floor the neoclassical decoration by Ferroni stands out, in the Pompeian and Etruscan taste, with silks, tapestries, furniture, lamps and clocks. The ceilings and stuccoes are the work of several painters, among them Mariano Salvador Maella and Francisco Bayeu. On the upper floor there are vaults with raised stuccowork and a room decorated with porcelain from the Buen Retiro, closer to the Rococo. The painting collection includes works by Luca Giordano, such as the Fall of Phaethon, as well as by Corrado Giaquinto, Guido Reni and Domenichino.

Much of the original fittings was lost during the Napoleonic invasion. Ferdinand VII redecorated the house, and Alfonso XIII promoted the restoration of the furniture in the 20th century. It was closed for restoration, to correct damp damage, between 1992 and 2000. It has been a Bien de Interés Cultural since 1931, and today it is managed by Patrimonio Nacional, which opens it only with a guided tour.

Highlights

• Neoclassical work by Juan de Villanueva (1771–1775)
• Pompeian and Etruscan decoration by Ferroni
• Room with porcelain from the Buen Retiro
• Paintings by Luca Giordano, including the Fall of Phaethon
• Gardens and park with native and non-native species

Founded

1771

Operated by

Patrimonio Nacional

Admission & discounts

Single rate of €8 per person, including the guided tour. The visit is eligible for the Bono Cultural Joven. Patrimonio Nacional's general free-admission categories do not apply to this little house, for capacity reasons. There is a ticket dispenser with card payment only; online purchases add a handling fee of €0.77 per ticket.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The little house is not accessible for people with reduced mobility.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

By car, along the A-6 to Las Rozas and the turn-off onto the M-505, or along the A-6 with the turn-off onto the M-600.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit