Built early 1900s, Palacio Borrell was bought by José Mariano Borrell Y Lemus, marquis of Guáimaro. It’s not as elegant as other mansions in Trinidad but still boasts authentic 20th century décor including Italian motifs and paintings, marble floors like a chess board and antique furniture. Now the city’s conservation offices.

About Palacio Borrell

Palacio Borrell

This mansion called Palacio Borrell sits on the corner where three roads literally meet at its front door. On the left of the building is a bedroom with iron railings on the balcony over a garage below. This striking palacio was built in the early 1900s.

Although it was bought by José Mariano Borrell Y Lemus, marquis of Guáimaro and has the same layout as Palacio Cantero it’s less extensive and elaborate than many other mansions in Trinidad. Nevertheless, it has quite a few original internal features that are worth mentioning: closets are adorned with ribbed panels for ventilation; there are fanlights on both sides of the sitting room’s central arch; antique furniture in the middle of this first room sits on marble floors formed in the shape of a chess board with black and white tiles.

The most notable characteristic of the house are of course the Italian motifs and paintings over the walls and around the ceiling. Among the decoration in particular is a strong element of music in the motifs with angels holding instruments and various images appearing in mono-colour. Fortunately, they have been preserved although it’s not recorded who the famous Italian artist was that decorated the house.

Nowadays Palacio Borrell is home to the city’s conservation offices.

References

José Martí, Trinidad de Cuba, Colombia 2003, p34.

Juan de las Cuevas Toraya, 500 Años De Construcciones En Cuba, Havana 2001, p145.

http://www.guije.com/pueblo/municipios/vtrinidad/dias/palacio.htm

Categories: Architectural | Art | Business | Castles | Educational | Historical | Leisure | Monuments | Museums | Political | Religious |