The Palacio de Santa Cruz offers tourists a chance to appreciate an excellent example of Habsburg tremendous architecture. It is located in the old area of Madrid near Plaza Major in the Plaza de la Provincia.

Juan Bautista constructed the Palacio de Santa Cruz between 1629 and 1643. It use to be the royal prison and held many famous Spanish people captive in its day. It’s also famous for the outcome of the Spanish Inquisition.

Some examples of the people who were held at the prison include General Riego, Lope de Vega and Luis Candelas. Renovations had to be made to the building twice due to a fire and the destruction caused to the building from the civil war.

It is a red bricked building with twin towers and now is the home to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs since 1901. Other attractive features include the main entrance, two interior even patios that provide the natural light and an eye-catching façade.