The secretive neo-Gothic chateau of Empress Eugenia de Montijo

The secretive neo-Gothic chateau of Empress Eugenia de Montijo

A remarkable neo-Gothic castle in the Basque Country of Spain, designed by French architects, never inhabited by the imperial family, now serving as an upscale hotel.

The Castillo de la Emperatriz Eugenia de Montijo, located near Bilbao in the Basque Country of Spain, is a stunning neo-Gothic chateau that resembles Fontainebleau Castle and other royal residences in France. It was originally built to reflect the claim that the Prince Imperial was of Viscayan descent, but there is no evidence to support that he dwelled in the chateau. The chateau features ogival arches, gargoyles, double windows, and battlements, and is faced with gray marble and red jasper around the arched windows. The central tower is a rectangle of 17 by 12 meters attached at an angle to an octagonal tower. The chateau was designed by French architects Gabriel-Auguste Ancelet and Louis-Auguste Couvrechef, and many of the works were made by French entrepreneurs and artisans. The castle is nearly restored.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons

Written by Nik Frost

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