Library of the Viana Palace
The library of the Viana Palace consists of two rooms: the first one features predominantly French furniture, while the second showcases mainly English style. Both are filled with books from floor to ceiling, housing more than seven thousand volumes, all published between the 16th and 20th centuries. French is the predominant language, and hunting and falconry are the most common themes. Each volume is carefully bound in leather, with their spines lending a soft hue to the noble wood shelves, which are custom-fitted.
A large part of the library‘s collection comes from the scholar Marquis of Cabriñana, and it also holds numerous unique copies. The most valuable books are located in the first room, on the central shelf, mostly covered with old parchment bindings.
Furniture and Notable Objects
Among the varied furnishings and objects in the library, the 18th-century celestial and terrestrial globes stand out, as well as the English marquetry-case clock, and the mother-of-pearl casket from the Momoyama period. Special mention should be made of the oil painting representing “Don Gaspar Juan Arias de Saavedra“, an ancestor of the marquis, as stated in the inscription at the bottom, a copy of an original by the Sevillian painter Bartolomé Esteban Murillo.
The Rooms’ Furniture
An elegant 19th-century Empire-style French chaise-longue sofa is the true centerpiece of the second room. With a refined design, it is characterized by having one arm higher than the other and is upholstered in beige to match the room’s tones, just like the Empire bench in front of the desk. In the first room, on either side of the fireplace, are two mid-19th-century wingback cabriole-leg armchairs; their garnet upholstery offers a very elegant contrast in the room.
Flooring and Decoration
Three oriental-style rugs cover the simple brick flooring, complemented in the first room by old Sevillian tiles with hunting motifs.
Visiting the Viana Palace Library
If you’re wondering what to do in Córdoba, we recommend visiting the Viana Palace by booking one of our guided tours. There, we dedicate a special chapter to the Library. Choose high-quality tourism with qualified staff—don’t hesitate, ArtenCórdoba is the best option.
Text: J.A.S.C.
The Library of the Palacio de Viana consists of two rooms filled with books from floor to ceiling, with over seven thousand volumes published between the 16th and 20th centuries, with French being the predominant language and hunting and falconry being the most frequent themes.
The furniture combines French and English styles, with pieces such as an empire-style chaise longue sofa, wingback chairs with cabriole legs, and a desk in front of which is a matching stool, all carefully integrated with the decoration of both rooms.
Notable objects include an 18th-century celestial and terrestrial globe, an English clock with marquetry case, a Momoyama-era mother-of-pearl chest, and an oil painting representing Don Gaspar Juan Arias de Saavedra, a copy of an original by Murillo.
The most valuable books are located in the first room, on the central shelf, and are characterized by being bound in ancient parchment. Many of them belonged to the scholar Marqués de Cabriñana, and some are unique copies.
The floor is covered by three oriental rugs over brick pavement, and in the first room, antique Sevillian tiles with hunting motifs are added, providing a decorative touch that harmonizes with the overall space.
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