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Serrallés Castle (or Castillo Serrallés in Spanish) is an impressive mansion located in the city of Ponce, Puerto Rico overlooking the downtown (Ponce Pueblo). It was built during the 1930s by Juan Eugenio Serrallés, son of businessman Juan Serralles, founder of Serrallés Distillers. Nowadays, the castle is a museum with information about the sugar cane industry and its impact in the economy of Puerto Rico.
[edit] Construction
The castle was built by local architect, Pedro Adolfo de Castro y Besosa, using the Spanish Colonial Revival style. It was located in a hill that overlooks the city of Ponce. It counts with two huge terraces, an outside fountain, and a symmetrical garden. Inside it has a luxurious hall, a huge dining room, and an interior patio.[2]
[edit] Sold to the City
The late Madam Serralles, who passed away in 2006, decided to sell the Serralles castle to the city of Ponce rather than pass it down to any of her children. While the caste was valued at $14-$15 million dollars, she sold it for a mere $400,000 and included much of the furniture with the sale.
When the city turned it into a tourist attraction, the entire basement was remodeled. There used to be four water storage tanks in the basement because the house is on top of a hill and the city did not have enough water pressure to pump water up to the house. The basement also had workers' rooms connected to it and the garage. All of this has since been turned into an auditorium, offices, and a restaurant.
The city also put a lot into the landscape. Looking out the back window, you can see lush green grass, fountains, manicured shrubs, and lights. None of this was part of the original house. It used to be a brown hill side, burned and dried by the sun.
The first floor also houses an out door square that is covered by the roof over the second floor. The city uses this area to showcase local artist and photographers' work.
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