The Royal Casino of Murcia is one of the most historic buildings in Murcia, Spain. It is situated in the heart of the city centre in Calle Trapería, not far from the cathedral. The building, which dates from 1847, is a mixture of different artistic styles from the second half of the 19th century and early 20th century in Spain. In 1983 it was declared a National Historical Building, so now it is considered to be of cultural interest.

The Royal Casino of Murcia Society was founded on 11th June 1847. The society first started in the mansion of Marqués del Vado in Calle Lucas. Later various other properties were acquired to form the present layout. Although, this is a private club the ground floor is open to the public and cultural events. The building is also one of the most visited in the Murcia region.

After a period of decline in the second half of the 20th century, the Royal Casino of Murcia Society has revived considerably. Also, between 2006 and 2009 the building was completely refurbished, and for this reason the King Don Juan Carlos I of Spain granted the Casino the title Real (Royal). During the refurbishment the whole building was upgraded including structures, foundations, floors, walls, roofs, and all of the decorative features including historic furniture, lamps and artwork. Also, many of the rooms were restored to their original decor, and the latest technology installed throughout the building.

The Facade onto Calle Trapería, was built in 1902, and designed by the architect Pedro Cerdán Martínez Murcia, who also designed the indoor Market of Verónicas in Murcia, La Casa del Piñón in La Unión and La Casa del Reloj in San Pedro del Pinatar. Its eclectic style has modern and historical influences. On either side of the entrance there is a room with windows from the floor to the ceiling known as peceras (fish tanks), where members like to meet and chat. Return

Once through the main door there is a small neo-Baroque Vestibule, which masterfully combines different materials and highlights a beautifully coffered ceiling. The crystallized effect on the walls creates a feeling of spaciousness in such a relatively small room. Return

The popular Peceras, with its bay windows decorated by Manuel Castaños have now been restored to their original 1902 style. (Many of Castaños’ ideas were used to decorate the Mansion of Parque Florido, actually the central office of the Museum Lázaro Galdiano, in Madrid.) Return

After walking through the stained glass door you come to the Patio Árabe (The Arabic Court). Its luxurious neo-Nazarí decoration was also designed by Manuel Castaños and is lined with more than 35,000 sheets of gold leaf. It was inspired by the Patio Door of the Ambassador’s in The Alhambra, Granada. The bright starry dome made of iron and stained glass that covers the hall is the highest part of the building. An arabic inscription “Nothing greater than Allah” is written repeatedly along its perimeter. Return

The Galería Central, is a large hall covered by a glass and marble dome known as Patio Largo. Off this hall are several different rooms at a slightly higher level. Originally, this hall was an indoor street that joined the different buildings which make up the Royal Casino, many of which had semi basements above street level. And it is for this reason that the rooms along the central gallery and across the hall, known as Patio Corto, have four steps up to them. Return

The first room on the left hand side is the Biblioteca Inglesa, (The English Library). This room was built in 1913 using the design of a British firm Waring & Gilllow. One of its main features is the upper gallery with its beautifully crafted wooden carvings depicting migrating flamingos representing the spirit of the 19th century traveller. The library has a fine collection of 20,000 books dating back to the 17th century. Overhead a skylight provides natural light for the 25 study areas. A curious feature is that the hole of the spiral staircase is covered by stucco paint instead of wood. Return

Opposite the library is the Salón del Congresillo, an elegant sitting room which was a meeting place for certain upper class circles of the Murcian society, including the Peña del Congresillo, whom the room is named after. Its silk and wood decorations and finely decorated ceiling are outstanding. The room also holds an important collection of Romantic paintings from the 19th and early 20th century, with works from Manuel Arroyo, Manuel Piccolo, and Obdulio Miralles, one of whose paintings, “La Modelo”, is noted not only for its beauty but for the story that it hides. The artist fell in love with the model and seeing that his love was not returned committed suicide at the age of 27. Other paintings are “Vaso Con Flores” by Luis Garay and “Escena Nevada de Paris” by the painter Emilio Grau Sala from the Paris School. Return

Moving from the Congresillo room you come to the most important and lavish room in the Royal Casino, known as the Salón de Baile (The Ballroom). Built between 1870 and 1875 it has an attractive French inspired neo-Baroque design. The majestic canvas of exotic landscapes which covers the ceiling, was painted by, among others, Manuel Arroyo and Eduardo Gil Montijano. The room’s central theme is a mock architecture including rococo balustrade and four balconies with awnings and flower vases. Clouds are located between four matrons representing Music, Sculpture, Painting and Architecture. Four medallions at the corners show the illustrious sons of Murcia: actor Julián Romea, sculptor Francisco Salzillo, painter Pedro Villacis and politician José Moñino, Count of Floridablanca. Five dazzling gold and brass lamps light the Baccarat crystal Hall. The lamps originate from the Trieste´s Imperial Palace of Emperor Maximilian I of Mexico, but after he was deposed and executed in 1867, the lamps were in Paris and acquired for the Royal Casino of Murcia. These were the first electric lamps to be used in the city of Murcia. Since its construction the Ballroom has been the brilliant scene of countless festivals of Murcian society.In addition to its sumptuous décor of mirrors, gilded mouldings, relieves and cornucopias, the room also has an inlaid wooden dance floor dating back to 1877 during many a ball, ladies tried to catch the eye of young Murcian gentlemen and danced to music performed by musicians in the upper balconies. This dancefloor is also the only floor space that has not been replaced during the Ballroom’s many redecorations and restorations. Return

From the Ballroom you come to the Antesala, (Anteroom), a spacious room which leads to the Pompeyano Patio. Here the warmth of the silks and wood is taken over by the cold marble. In this room there are two large paintings of note by the artists Gil Montijano and Sánchez Picazo, “Estudio del pintor” y “Cesto de flores”, plus a nice sculpture by José Planes. Return

Back into the central gallery the next room is the Tocador de Señoras (The Ladies Room) which takes up some of what used to be the old arms room. The mirrors and silks are outstanding and the lamp shades are the originals embroidered with gold thread from Lorca. The canvas painting on the ceiling is a work of José Marín Baldo, and represents the night and the goddess Selene (the Moon). If you look at the eyes of a winged woman, who is falling from the sky wrapped in flames, they follow you around the room. Up until the refurbishment the Ladies Room was still in use. All the original silver toilet sets have been kept. Return

Again in the central gallery, turn left and you come to the Salón de Armas (Arms Hall). In its day it used to be the fencing room, hence the decoration on the windows, but after part of the room was used to make the ladies toilets, the Arms Hall was used as a chess room, among many other uses. During restoration of the ceiling in the ladies toilets, the remains of a frieze were found under the canvas originally belonging to the Arms Hall. The frieze depicts Hercules fighting the Nepean lion, and part of a floral arrangement. It’s possible that the complete frieze could have shown all the works of the mythological demi-god. The paintings hanging in this room are by the 19th century artists Germán Hernández Amores, Joaquín Agrasot, and Miguel Blay were originally painted for the billiard room. Look at the four big canvases that represent the four seasons. These were painted in 1893 to decorate the Patio Pompeyano. During restoration in 1928, these paintings were transferred in trust to the Museum of Fine Arts in Murcia, where they remained for 81 years until they were returned for the reopening of the Royal Casino in November 2009. Return

The Salón de Té (Tea Room) is another splendid room, which on occasions has been used as a dining room and café. During its refurbishment the ceiling, which had collapsed in the late seventies, was restored to its original glory. The Tea Room has two side rooms “El Comedor Español” which is decorated in a Spanish style and the “Salon Inglés” whose ceiling was restored to its original 1847 state. Return

In the Exedra the visitor can contemplate a panoramic view of the Royal Casino. It is usually used as a stage. There is a replica of the statue La Dama de Elche which was given to the Casino by Elche. Return

The Patio Pompeyano, (The Pompeian Court), a neo-classical style, is covered by an iron and glass dome and has some beautiful sculptures. The replicas of “Danae” and “La Amazona” by Policleto came from the Vatican Museum, not to mention the exceptional “Venus” by José Planes, who won National Sculpture in 1920, sits in the centre of the patio, and “Mujer” by Antonio Campillo. Return

The Patio Azul (The Blue Court) is one of the areas that has been changed rather than restored during the refurbishment in 2006-2009.The courtyard has been covered with a glass dome, and the walls painted a uniform colour. However, neither change hides the facades of the different original buildings. The Patio Azul has therefore been fully integrated into the main building and heated by the Royal Casino, without losing its reference to its origins as an open courtyard. Return

Off the Patio Azul is the Sala de Billar, (The Billiard Room) with its beautiful wood panelling predominately in geometric patterns. There are four arched windows that let in the light from the Patio Azul. Over the tables there are beautiful lamps that are also heaters thus giving the best conditions to play billiards. The room has held important billiard championships in the past. Curiously, the original furnishing is high enough so you can watch the game in comfort. Return

On the first floor there is the Sala Alta, (The High Room), a spacious room beautifully decorated which looks out on the main facade. This room is used for many purposes in the Royal Casino including expositions, music and conferences. Return

The two Games Rooms which the Royal Casino has are situated in the south wing of the building and are accessed by the lift near the concierge. The room on the first floor is used to play dominos and the room on the second floor is used to play chess and bridge, this also has a reading area and internet. Both rooms have a beverage service. Return

The Social Lounges are placed on the first floor and accessed by a panoramic lift. In addition to a large and comfortable lounge which has some of the most important paintings the Royal Casino holds, there is a café, members’ restaurant, meeting room and a garden terrace. Entry to the games rooms and social rooms is reserved for members only. Return

Fotos: Joaquín Zamora