Palace of Malferit
XV – XVIII Centuries

The Palace is organized around a central courtyard formed by the three wings constituting the building and to the east, north and west. It completes the ensemble of a walled courtyard located on the southwest side.

XV CENTURY

The original building of the fifteenth century had a four-sided polygonal base, about 18 m in length. It was built to perform the functions of residential palace and military fortress. It was supposed to be equipped with defensive towers, although there are no documents or traces which certify it.

Jaime de Malferit personally took charge of directing the decoration inspired by Italian Renaissance palaces.

The walls are made of lime mud, sand and rammed earth. In the outdoor areas it is reinforced with rows of bricks. In the northwest and southeast corners, which coincide with the current main facade, the corners are ashlar stone.

1. The first evidence of the existence of a primitive building is provided by the path between the holes on the north side in the westernmost part, on the mezzanine level. The samples made uncovered a door with semicircular arch formed by stone voussoirs of great significance.
2. This enclosure 3 × 4.5 meters leads us to think that there was another wing built located right in the space now occupied by the main staircase.
3. The Noble hall retains the primitive mud walls except on the side corresponding to the main façade.
   The noble hall was decorated with frescoes on the walls depicting scenes of hunting, parties and chivalric romances. Unfortunately, the only remaining part is at the top, which is some remains of the original paintings and a perimeter inscription, written in ancient Castilian which means: “There will be people that will understand these, whoever do not tell these is feeling bad, however not the ones that the soul feels”. These verses are a moral reflection primarily intended for those who were tried in this room, they are distinguished from other contemporary inscriptions thanks to the typography used. Let us remember that we live in a world that is documented in Gothic script. However, in this case it is the Roman typeface of classical antiquity that those of the Italian Renaissance had rescued in their passion for classical art. Still, we can see in some letters with certain gothic touches. It is one of the very few inscriptions of the country with these typographical features.
4. Original Gateway to the Noble Hall.
5. Gothic arch corresponding to an entry for horses and carriages.

XVIII CENTURY

The reform of the eighteenth century was that which most modified the original structure transforming it into a palace in accordance with the period and giving it an appearance which is very similar to that which it retains today. It must be highlighted that new cellars were constructed, forcing the ground level to be raised around the Palace from its original level to the current one.

XIX CENTURY

In the late nineteenth century a new reform was carried out that consisted of an internal restructuring, remodeling of the exterior openings and renovation of some elements. Like this it was raised to the height of the façade by a balustrade and a terrace. The large covered staircase of the main courtyard and gallery linking the north with the south wing wing was made, whose support is a long beam iron (a very innovative material at the time). Outside the palace was given the appearance that it currently presents.

XX AND XXI CENTURY

Due to its emblematic character, in 1996, the Municipal Corporation of Aielo de Malferit decided to buy the Palace of Malferit to turn it into the town hall. In 2001 the Generalitat of Valencia declared “The Castle Palace of Aielo de Malferit a place of Cultural Interest of Spanish Historical Hertiage”.

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