A New Boutique Hotel in Écija, Andalusia,
Spain - 'Palace of the Pomegranates'
Palacio de los Granados Casual
elegance & style in a restored Baroque Palace
2007 Winner - Condé Nast Johansens'
Most Excellent Service Award!
The History of our Baroque
Palace
Roman Écija:
Located on one of the most prestigious streets in Écija, El Palacio de
los Granados stands on the ancient Roman 'Via Agusta', a road that
once connected Rome with the important provinces of its empire.
Triunfo de Baco y Nacimiento del Vino.
Escena de Caza.
Écija's early name was "Astigi" or
'land of citizens', of Iberian origin, and it preserves a great deal
of prehistoric architecture. During the Roman period, it was the
'Firma Augusta' colony, capital of the Andalusian court . A rich
collection of mosaics is preserved in some of the palaces and museums of
Écija..
Excavation of Écija's plaza to build a parking garage
unearthed the Roman forum.
The remains of the Roman Forum circa 250bc
have recently been discovered beneath Écija's main plaza. A five
minute walk from the hotel, you will be amazed by the almost perfect
condition of the columns and terraces surrounding the ancient Roman baths.
For more information on the Roman period of Écija,
please check the web site at
www.betica-romana.org .
Visigoth Écija: After the fall
of Rome, the Visigoth's from northern Europe occupied much of Spain
including Écija. This era was most notable for the introduction of
Christianity in 63ad by the apostle San Pablo who remains the Patron Saint
of Écija.
Moorish Écija:
Écija
was the first great city of the Peninsula occupied by the
Muslims, who drove out the Visigoth's and changed the name from 'Astigi'
to the Arabic 'Istigga'. The Arabs later changed the name to 'Medina
Estiguia' or 'Rich City'.
During the Moorish occupation,
Écija became an important commercial center.
Moorish style has been incorporated into the
construction of our 'Granada Suite'.
The area where the hotel now stands became part of the
Alcazaba or fortress. The excavation of Écija's main plaza recently
revealed the remains of the old Arab cemetery adjacent to the Roman forum
.
Spanish Écija:
After the re-conquest of Moorish-controlled areas in 1240ad
by the Castilian troops under Ferdinand III, Écija was taken under Spanish
control during the military campaigns for the conquest of Granada.
Drawings of Ecija by Joris Hoefnagel dated 1567 first
appeared in print in Braun and Hogenberg's, 'Civitates Orbis Terrarum'
As a result, the Castilian nobility established
themselves in Écija - receiving large land grants from Alfonso X.
Concentrated in the area of our hotel, the
nobility constructed grand residential palaces for developing Écija's
important agricultural economy.
Drawings of Écija by Joris Hoefnagel dated 1567 first
appeared in print in Braun and Hogenberg's, 'Civitates Orbis Terrarum' -
The "Civitates" was compiled and written by George Braun, Canon of Cologne
Cathedral. Braun gathered together vast amounts of information and draft
plans to produce over 500 city views/maps published in six parts between
1572 and 1617.
The detailed drawing shows the main gate to Écija which
is very near to where El Palacio de los Granados stands today.
The Destruction of Écija: Life
in Écija was abruptly changed as a result of the Great Portuguese
Earthquake of 1755 which many estimate was approximately a magnitude 9.0
on the modern Richter scale. Even though Écija is hundreds of miles
from Lisbon, much of southern Spain was also devastated and most of Écija
was destroyed.
These engravings by 'Le Bas' show the
destruction of Lisbon's Opera House, Cathedral and St. Nicholas Church.
The Portuguese earthquake also destroyed Écija. There is a good
history of the great earthquake at
http://nisee.berkeley.edu/lisbon/
The 'Golden Age' of Écija: It was the
destruction of Écija by the great earthquake of 1755 that lead to the
rebuilding of Écija and the design of the present urban facade - including
our hotel. Since the construction took place during the later half
of the 18th century, the entire city was rebuilt in the Baroque style.
This was the height of Ecija's wealth and influence.
The impressive church towers, belfries, and
residential palaces were either remodeled or rebuilt in the Baroque style
after the earthquake of 1755, giving the city its unique character.
El Palacio de los Granados: Our hotel,
El Palacio de los Granados was rebuilt as a residential palace and
would have been occupied by the nobility. The 18th century Baroque
style is evident in many details on the facade of the building and
throughout the interior. During our renovation, it became evident
that the existing structure is the result of various remodeling periods.
Part of El Palacio de los Granados is the 'casa de
campo' with rustic country charm.
Some parts of the house, especially the so-called 'casa de campo'
which were used as a granary and stables - are from the 16th century -
perhaps surviving the earthquake due to their wooden structure which could
be repaired or rebuilt in parts.
Classic Baroque architecture of El Palacio de los
Granados.
The Main house responded to the classic canons of
Renaissance and Baroque design. The splendid main courtyard, with
it's proportionate arcades, center fountain and great door carpentry, show
the involvement of a skilled designer or architect.
Construction was delayed for almost one year so that
Pablo (2nd row far right)could assemble the best team of local artisans possible
for the renovation of El Palacio de los Granados - including the new
crystal canopy above the traditional courtyard.
Your
home in Écija: The restoration has been carried out by
owner/architect Pablo Ojeda and his team of skilled local artisans who
have lovingly restored the charm and history of the Baroque style along
with all modern conveniences to make your stay at our boutique hotel one
of the highlights of your trip to Spain.
the
nobility constructed grand residential palaces for developing Écija's
important agricultural economy. 
Your
home in Écija: The restoration has been carried out by
owner/architect Pablo Ojeda and his team of skilled local artisans who
have lovingly restored the charm and history of the Baroque style along
with all modern conveniences to make your stay at our boutique hotel one
of the highlights of your trip to Spain.