Red Hall

This impressive and spacious hall is named after the red silk covering the walls. Located over the already mentioned Hall of Tobías, its floor is rectangular with chamfer corners, thus achieving an interesting effect.

Everything that can be found in this luxurious hall comes from the Palace of the Duke of Rivas in Madrid, such as the stunning bronze and Bohemian glass lamp from the 19th century, hanging from the central moulding on the ceiling. In the four angles of the hall there are four side tables, and on them, four parted mirrors extended up to the frieze on the walls, decorated with garlands.

A Coromandel Chinese folding screen is very remarkable, located in the centre of one of the longer sides of the Red Hall, with twelve panels and decorated with oriental motifs. It was a wedding present from Álvaro de Urzáiz. In front of it, there is a red sofa, the marchioness’s favourite for naps and, on both sides, two round tables that are said to have had a great collection of old noble metal stamps on top.

As for the furniture, predominantly French style, we can highlight up to eight Louis XVI-style stools, the Chinese table in the middle, two Louis XIII-style armchairs, two small Portuguese Louis XV-style armchairs, ora Louis XVII-style sofa. According to the scholars on Viana Palace, this is one of the most used rooms in the house; in fact, the Marchioness’s Bedroom is next to this hall, although it cannot be visited.

On the left of the mentioned folding screen, a small glass cabinet has twenty three Compañía de Indias porcelain pieces. There are more porcelain pieces around the hall, on tables, side tables, pedestals… The floor is covered by two carpets, a Persian one at the entrance, and a bigger one belonging to the Fundación Generalísimo.

One of the most interesting canvases in the collection is here, representing “Queen Victoria Eugenia” and it is signed by the famous painter from Valencia Joaquín Sorolla and dedicated to Her Majesty. There are also portraits of a “Princess” or “The girl of the dove“, which are anonymous.

Opposite the side of the folding screen and the wide sofa, we can see a door leading to the Marchioness’s Bedroom. Once we enter, we are in a small hall with a wide window facing the Courtyard of the Gate. On both sides of this hall, there is the bathroom and the Marchioness’s Bedroom.

On its walls there are two big windows: one facing the Courtyard of the Madama and the other one, the mentioned of the Gate. They are decorated with flowery greyish English cretone curtains, which are also repeated in the upholstery of a comfortable armchair. As for the rest of the furniture, we can find a mahogany bed with bed side tables on both sides. On one of the walls, we can highlight two alcoves whose glass shelves show delicate pieces made in white milk glass and silver glass. At the front of the bedhead, there is a painting on glass, with the theme of the Annunciation.

With the Red Hall we finish our tour around the “lived house”, those places which were daily used and lived in by the marquises and marchionesses.

If you are wondering what to do in Córdoba, we recommend you visit Viana Palace hiring one of our guided tours. We will explain there a special chapter dedicated to the Red Hall. Choose to do high quality sightseeing with qualified staff. Do not hesitate, ArtenCórdoba is the best option.

Text: J.A.S.C.