To spot the Palace of the Duke of Estrada, look ahead for a long, weathered stone building with two square towers rising at either end, now a striking ruin against the sky.
Right now you’re standing before the Palace of the Duke of Estrada, once the grand home of a powerful local family. Picture yourself back in medieval Llanes, the air heavy with smoke from wood fires and the sound of horses’ hooves on the street. The very center tower to your left dates from the 11th century-built by the Aguilar de San Jorge family, before knights and nobles started giving out their email addresses. Over centuries, the palace changed faces: first in the 14th century, and then-get this-in the 1700s, a count named Fernán Duque de Estrada gave it the fine Baroque look you see in the remains today, complete with grand towers on each side.
But life wasn’t always a royal stroll. In 1809, disaster struck. Fire ripped through the palace-some blame invading French troops during the War of Independence, while others whisper that angry neighbors set the flames themselves after the Duque de Estrada family sided with the enemy. For over two centuries the palace has remained a haunting shell, hiding tales of betrayal, courage, and one very dramatic act of revenge. And here’s a twist for your inner history buff: Juan Duque de Estrada, one of the most famous residents, was an ambassador to the Pope for the Catholic Monarchs. Enjoy the ruins-just watch out for any vengeful ghosts kicking around!
