The Divided Palacio de Ustáriz

The history of the Palacio de Ustáriz begins in 1748 with its initial owner, Casimiro de Ustáriz, the first marquis of Ustáriz. At that time, the manor stood as a unified aristocratic home. The palace occupies the east and north sides of the block, with the remainder of the block including the center occupied by a garden.

Internal family shifts eventually led to a physical partition of the estate. Upon the passing of the property to the heirs of Mariano Maldonado y Dávalos and Fernanda de Salabert y Arteaga, the siblings divided the land. Fernando inherited the Palacio de Ustáriz while María Luisa claimed the palace situated across the garden. These two buildings remain neighbors on Calle de San Mateo today.

Observation of the main wing reveals a shift in architectural preference. A portal marks the entrance and features the twin coats of arms belonging to the Maldonado and Salabert families. Although a 1878 renovation adapted the structures for 19th-century styles, the fundamental 18th-century urban layout persists. We should look closer at how these enduring designs survived centuries of change.

Currently, the interior functions as a base for an investment firm rather than a private home. Despite this modern use, the central garden provides a peaceful space between the two historical facades. There is much to discover about how these two separate lives continue to coexist in one shared space.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons