Stroll through the gardens and palace where kings and writers such as Alfonso VIII of Castile, Juana la Loca and Lope de Vega once walked.

The Palace and Gardens of the Dukes of Alba or Sotofermoso Palace have been a Cultural Heritage Asset in the of Historic Site category since 2022. It was initially a Templar fortress and later the seat of the Abbey of Cistercian monks. The House of Alba assumed the ownership of the village and the palace in the 15th century, at which point it was converted into a palace. Under the House of Alba’s ownership, the palace flourished as an art and cultural centre of great relevance, hosting a literary academy that attracted renowned Italian and Flemish artists, including illustrious figures like Lope de Vega and Garcilaso de la Vega.

Its Mudejar courtyard stands out for its excellent state of preservation. The ground floor has a beautiful gallery of horseshoe arches. The upper gallery has segmental arches characteristic of the 16th century, with the heraldic coats of arms of the House of Alba on the corners.

The palace boasts an exquisite Renaissance garden from the 16th century, on par with the finest royal gardens of the time. It is beautifully situated on the banks of the Ambroz River.

Architectural elements, sculptures, paintings, and stuccoes blend in with a variety of plants, trees, and decorative fountains.
Only a few vestiges of its grandeur remain today.