Palacio de los Hurtado de Mendoza suffers major structural collapse

A significant portion of the Palacio de los Hurtado de Mendoza, a 15th-century monument in Almazán, Soria, collapsed on Tuesday morning. The structural failure affected the north facade, destroying a portion of the historic Gothic gallery, five of the eleven upper-floor arches, and an important wooden ceiling. Debris fell down the slope toward the Duero River, forcing the closure of the CL-116A road (Ronda del Duero) for safety.

The building has been designated a Bien de Interés Cultural (BIC) since 1991. Technical reports had warned of an “imminent collapse risk” as early as August 2024, but necessary consolidation works were not completed. Almazán Mayor Jesús Cedazo described the loss of heritage as “irreparable.”

The collapse has also impacted local festivities, specifically the Bajada de Jesús scheduled for September 6. Authorities are evaluating whether the vibrations from planned pyrotechnic displays could trigger further collapses, as technical assessments of the building's remaining stability are ongoing.