Real Casino de Murcia

Murcia

The Real Casino de Murcia is one of the most emblematic buildings in Murcia, Spain, located centrally on Calle Trapería near the cathedral. Construction began in 1853, and the building showcases a unique blend of architectural styles from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, including eclectic, modernist, and historicist influences. It serves as a private social club but is open for tourist visits and events, making it the most visited civil building in the Murcia region. The façade on Calle Trapería, completed in 1902 by architect Pedro Cerdán, features exquisite glass-enclosed rooms known locally as "fish tanks," decorated by Manuel Castaños. Inside, the spectacular Arab Patio is adorned with neonazari style decoration and over 20,000 sheets of gold leaf, topped by a glass vault inscribed with an Arabic phrase praising Allah. The building's interior includes notable spaces such as the richly decorated library with carved wooden galleries, the ladies' powder room featuring allegories of the goddess Selene, and the tea room with an ornate plaster ceiling. The Pompeian-style courtyard, with its classical sculptures including a Venus by José Planes, and the neoclassical billiard room add to its artistic value. The grand ballroom, dating from 1875, is a double-height neobaroque space with ceilings decorated with allegories of the arts and portraits of distinguished Murcians, with elegant parquet floors and five gilded bronze chandeliers adorned with Baccarat crystal. After a period of decline, the building was thoroughly restored between 2006 and 2009, receiving the title "Real" from King Juan Carlos I. Today, it stands as a cultural and architectural treasure reflecting Murcia's rich heritage.