The Senate building occupies the old school and convent of the shod Augustinian fathers, founded in the 16th century by Doña María de Córdoba y Aragón, lady of Queen Anne and daughter of Álvaro de Córdoba, who was head groom of Felipe II.

Since the early years of the 2th century, and due to its proximity to the palace, this former Augustinian college has become one of the buildings with the greatest political significance in the city. Its first parliamentary use dates back to May 1814, XNUMX, when the college church was transformed into the Session Hall of the unicameral Cortes that regulated the Constitution of Cadiz, and which until then were located in the theater of the Peral pipes.

However, practically nothing remains of the old school. Numerous renovations have transformed it; in 1820, Isidro González Velázquez He transformed the church's floor plan into a meeting hall and renovated the interior with neoclassical features. In the period between 1844 and 1850, Anibal Alvarez Bouquel underwent a comprehensive reform, including a new neoclassical façade. In 1882 it was again reformed by Emilio Rodríguez Ayuso He removed from the building everything that still resembled religious use in 1882. He also built a magnificent library and reading room.

After the Civil War, it was reformed by Manuel Ambros EscanellasAnd in 1987 the facility was expanded with the construction of a new building, carried out by Salvador Gayarre, and which was inaugurated by the king Juan Carlos I in 1991.

You can visit.

A abrazo.