Spanish Governor's Palace

The Hapsburg insignia in the keystone above the entrance represent King Ferdinand VI of Spain, ruler in 1722.

Toribio de Urrutia became captain in 1740.  He added the three rooms that complete the front of the building along the Plaza de Armas.  This room was likely a living room for the family and a salon for entertaining.

The two fireplaces were added during the 1930 restoration by Harvey Smith. The furniture is indicative of 18^th century Spanish Colonial life.

Built by Toribio de Urrutia in 1749, this would have been his office and store, since he supplemented his military wages by selling various household and personal items to soldiers as well as the general public.  He later added a room to the west for storage of these items.

Like other rooms in the building, the kitchen was added by architect Harvey Smith during the 1930 restoration.

The artifacts represent the typical features of late colonial kitchens, including the wood-fired horno – you can see similar ones at Mission San Jose.

The attached small room with staircase was also a 1930 addition imagined as a storeroom and sleeping loft.

The courtyard that backs up to San Pedro Creek would have been divided into three and very utilitarian. The back area also would have been the location of an outdoor kitchen throughout the Spanish and Mexican period. Indoor kitchens even in the finest homes are rare before 1860.

Architect Harvey P. Smith imagined and designed an elaborate courtyard with covered portales, a fountain and a well to convey the sense of colonial luxury and refinement. Today the space is a wonderful retreat for parties, weddings and other events.

The Spanish Governor’s Palace is located in the heart of downtown San Antonio.  To discover how you can visit in person to learn more about tours and group discounts or to reserve the courtyard for a private event visit spanishgovernorspalace.org.