Palacio de La Moncloa before the Spanish Civil War

The current palace is on the site of an old country house located in the middle of a vast agricultural estate, which has passed between marquesses, dukes and kings.

It dates back to the first third of the 17th century, when Gaspar de Haro y Guzmán, Marquess of Carpio and Eliche, took over the orchards of La Moncloa and Sora, which were located around the Cantarranas stream.

At the highest point of the land, the Marquess ordered the construction of a mansion, originally known as the Palace of Eliche and also as Casa Pintada, in reference to the frescoes that adorned the outside walls.

After passing through several owners, La Moncloa was bought in 1781 by Maríana de Silva, the Duchess of Arcos, who undertook the first major reform of the palace, following the Neoclassical trends of the time.

After her death in January 1784, the estate passed to her daughter, María del Pilar Teresa Cayetana de Silva, the popular Duchess of Alba portrayed by Goya.

A new building was designed, with which the 18th-century style country house was transformed into a large palace, based on models inspired by the Casa del Labrador in Aranjuez, with touches of Austrian architecture.

Regarding Isidro González Velázquez's restoration, his work was decisive in stopping the deterioration process which was taking place in the palace, and he also made some new buildings, including a House of Trades.