Palace of Moncloa
| Moncloa Palace | |
|---|---|
| Palacio de La Moncloa | |
|
Main facade of La Moncloa Palace | |
| Former names | Palace of the Counts of Moncloa |
| Alternative names | La Moncloa |
| General information | |
| Address | Avenida Puerta de Hierro, s/n |
| Town or city | Madrid |
| Country | Spain |
| Coordinates | 40°26′43″N 3°44′03″W / 40.4454°N 3.7343°WCoordinates: 40°26′43″N 3°44′03″W / 40.4454°N 3.7343°W |
| Current tenants | Prime Minister of Spain |
| Construction started | 1947 (reconstruction of the 17th century original) |
| Completed | 1955 |
| Renovated | 1977 |
| Owner | Government of Spain |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect |
Isidro González Velázquez Joaquín Ezquerra del Bayo Diego Méndez |
The Palace of Moncloa or Moncloa Palace (Spanish: Palacio de La Moncloa), located in the Ciudad Universitaria (University City) ward of Madrid (part of Moncloa-Aravaca district), has been the official residence for the Prime Minister of Spain since 1977, when Adolfo Suárez moved the residence from the Palace of Villamejor on the Paseo de la Castellana (currently the seat of the Ministry of Territorial Policy). The residence is surrounded by several other buildings which form the La Moncloa Complex. The Ministry of the Presidency, the First Deputy Prime Minister's Office and the Press Center are located in this complex. The weekly meetings of the Council of Ministers are also held at La Moncloa.
In Spain 'Moncloa' is sometimes used as a metonym for the central government, especially when contrasting with the governments of the Autonomous Communities.
History
The Palace was destroyed during the Siege of Madrid in the Spanish Civil War. It was later rebuilt to serve as residence for foreign leaders and other personalities. It has served as the official residence to the Prime Ministers of Spain and their families since the Spanish transition to democracy.