This unique building was home to the best Spanish stallions for almost five centuries in a row. It was created for this purpose in 1570 by order of King Philip II, who wanted to create a new breed of horse in Cordoba: the Andalusian Horse – Pura Raza Español. The monarch spared no expense and built a superb building which was burnt to the ground in 1735. It was immediately rebuilt by King Ferdinand VI and King Charles III.
The building is arranged around a large courtyard of almost 3,000 square metres. The stables stand out, a beautiful room with three naves that Lorca called the «cathedral of horses», and the riding arena where the show ‘Pasión y Duende del Caballo Andaluz’, promoted by Córdoba Ecuestre, now takes place. In 1995, the State Stallion Depot, under the direction of the Horse Breeding Service, moved to Ecija (Seville) and the building lost its original function, so that it now has a purely tourist use.
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