On the border between the provinces of Cuenca and Albacete, in the shade of old trees by the river Júcar, stands a palace forgotten by most, which was once a symbol of luxury and family comfort. Built in the early twentieth century in a style reminiscent of Versailles, this building belonged for a long time to industrialist Enrique Gonsalvez and his large family. After his death in 1964, his heirs were in no hurry to invest in the upkeep of the sprawling mansion, and over time it fell into decline.
In the 1990s, the palace was granted cultural heritage status, which seemingly should have saved it from ruin. In reality, however, this only complicated the situation: restoration required enormous investments and bureaucratic approvals, and the owners preferred to get rid of the burdensome property. Since then, the building has changed hands several times, but no one has ventured to undertake any major work. After decades of neglect, the palace became easy prey for looters who took away anything of value. Neither local authorities nor owners bothered to provide even minimal protection for the grounds.
In March this year, the palace was given a new lease on life: a couple from Switzerland, Ludovic and Julia, purchased it with ambitious plans. They dreamed of turning the historic building into a hotel and transforming the surrounding park into a venue for events. Local enthusiasts got involved, helping to clear overgrowth and remove debris. However, as soon as the initial work began, heritage protection authorities intervened. They banned even basic cleaning and safeguarding activities, let alone roof repairs or reinforcing the walls.
Currently, the project is on hold indefinitely. The new owners, discouraged by the bureaucratic hurdles, prefer not to talk to the press and are waiting until all formalities are resolved. Local officials admit that the administrative process is dragging on, and the requirements for restoring historical landmarks are extremely strict. It turns out that before any work can begin, a comprehensive set of documents is needed, including a detailed restoration plan, expert assessments, and approval from architects experienced in historic preservation. Even for ordinary volunteers wishing to help, strict limitations apply.
Municipal authorities hope the project can still get off the ground. After all, restoring the palace could spark tourism development in the region and draw attention to other historic sites, such as the Catalina Cardona Cave. But for now, the Gonzalves Palace continues to slowly deteriorate, and its future remains uncertain.
