Castillo Serralles
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Castillo de Serralles
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Castillo Serrallés in 2007
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 Location of Ponce and Castillo Serrallés in Puerto Rico
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| Location | Ponce, Puerto Rico |
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| Coordinates | 18°01′07″N 66°37′09″W / 18.018698°N 66.619274°WCoordinates: 18°01′07″N 66°37′09″W / 18.018698°N 66.619274°W |
| Area | 2.5 acres (1.0 ha) |
| Built | 1930 |
| Architect | Pedro Adolfo de Castro |
| Architectural style | Spanish Colonial Revival |
| NRHP Reference # | 80004494 |
| Added to NRHP | November 3, 1980 |
Castillo Serrallés (English: Serralles Castle) is a mansion located in the city of Ponce, Puerto Rico, overlooking the downtown area (Ponce Pueblo). It was built during the 1930s for Juan Eugenio Serrallés, son of businessman Juan Serrallés, founder of Destilería Serrallés. The structure sits on a 2.5-acre (1.0 ha) exceedingly manicured property. Nowadays, the structure functions as a museum, Museo Castillo Serrallés, with information about the sugar cane and rum industries and its impact in the economy of Puerto Rico. It is also increasingly used as a venue for social activities, including destination weddings. The property was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.
The house was purchased by the city of Ponce from the Serrallés heirs. While the castle was valued at US$17–US$25 million, it was purchased for a mere US$400,000 and included much of the furniture in the sale. The city's initial intent was to turn it into a museum of Puerto Rican music. The Museum of Puerto Rican Music was eventually established elsewhere in the city.
The mansion was emptied in 1956, and while the structure kept in very good shape, the grounds were overgrown by weeds to the point that a total landscaping plan was needed to return the estate to its past glory. In 1980, the property was still owned by Rosa Serrallés Torruella and Felix J. Serrallés Sanchez.
The mansion was built on the south side of El Vigía hill, which is the most prominent and nearest hill to the Ponce Historic Zone. Its location has the mansion overlooking the city of Ponce. El Vigía is the name of one of the hills to the north of the city of Ponce that make up the foothills of the Cordillera Central found further inland. The location of the mansion, together with its magnificent landscape, and many architectural details, have made it unique among other Puerto Rico mansions. Its location atop the El Vigía hill makes it visible from nearly every part of the city of Ponce, "as a constant reminder to all Ponceños of their heritage". The building's location, coupled with its "Y" shape form, allows for an impressive and breath-taking view of the city of Ponce from any one of its eastern, southern, or western elevations.
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Wikipedia