The Rococo architecture of the Episcopal Palace of Murcia

In the old town of Murcia, the Episcopal Palace serves as the official seat of the diocese of Cartagena. Built in the 18th century, it is one of the most important monumental heritage buildings in the city and has been designated as a Bien de Interés Cultural since 1992.

Construction of the new palace began in June 1748, pushed forward by Bishop Juan Mateo López. It was built on the site of the former casas del Adelantado. While the previous Renaissance palace occupied much of the current Plaza del Cardenal Belluga, the new structure was designed to stand opposite that location as part of an urban reform.

The palace is a magnificent example of Rococo style, characterized by a square plan and a mix of Italian and French influences. The main façade faces the plaza and features Ionic pilasters flanking the entrance arch, which is topped by a large balcony decorated with the coat of arms of Bishop Rojas y Contreras. The posterior façade, oriented toward the Segura River, is divided into an L-shape and features an exceptional portal with an artistic grille.

Inside, the palace contains a courtyard with two bodies: one with semi-circular arches and Tuscan pilasters, and another with Ionic pilasters supporting elegantly decorated balconies. The palace also houses a circular chapel inaugurated in 1774, featuring Corinthian pilasters and a Rococo cornice.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons