Cárcel Real (Cádiz)

The Cárcel Real (Spanish: Royal Prison) is a historical building in Cádiz, southern Spain, an example of Neoclassical architecture.

That last project was directed for the Ministry of Justice by J. Montes Deza, adapting the building for use as a courthouse, and saving it from a state of near-ruin.

Following the original plans, he completed the final portion of the building and installed a rectangular attic at the top of the projecting principal façade, with a large shield and two pinnacles on the sides.

On the two shorter sides of the projecting mass, over the bays of the lower floor (and delineated by pilasters), are several blind semicircles, over which an oculus is inscribed.

An inscription near the mean entrance reads "odia el delito, compadece al delincuente" ("hate the crime, pity the criminal"), a quotation from Concepción Arenal.