Palacio del Marqués de las Claras

Palacio del Marqués de las Claras or Casino de Arecibo,[2] as it is also known, was built in 1888, thanks to Fernando Fernández Umpierre, Marqués de las Claras. At the end of the 19th century, the Marqués de las Claras distinguished himself as one of the most prominent and wealthy owners of sugar estates in Puerto Rico. He was known for his sponsorship of the arts and cultural events.[3]

Palacio del Marqués de las Claras
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Palacio del Marqués de las Claras in 2017
Location of Palacio del Marqués de las Claras in Arecibo, Puerto Rico
Location	Calle Gonzalo Marin #58, Arecibo, Puerto Rico 00612
Coordinates	18°28′24″N 66°42′53″W
Area	less than one acre
Built	1878 (1878)
Architectural style	Neoclassic
NRHP reference No.	88000964[1]
Added to NRHP	July 12, 1988

After the death of the Marqués in 1896, the palace, located in Arecibo barrio-pueblo, became the meeting place of the aristocratic elite of Arecibo. It was the meeting place for the conservative politicians of Puerto Rico, a place to discuss the politics related to the finance and government administration during the Spanish colonial period in Puerto Rico. Currently, the palace is a venue for important social activities.

The neoclassical design of the facade makes use of ornamentation to differentiate the piano nobile, the principal floor of the palace from the first floor. The second level is elegant and refined. The asymmetric entry stands out slightly with ornamental detail.[4]

References

1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. November 2, 2013.
2. Report of the Governor of Porto Rico, 1922. U.S. Government Printing Office. 1923. p. 71. Retrieved 2020-07-25.
3. Oficina Estatal de Conservación Histórica (OECH) Oficina del Gobernador [State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) Office of the Governor]. Registro Nacional de Lugares Históricos. Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. p. 25.
4. "National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: Palacio del Marques de las Claras". National Park Service. Retrieved July 25, 2020. With accompanying pictures