The grand house on Calle Madrid is popularly known as the ‘Palacio del Virrey’ (Palace of the Viceroy). This was probably the house of the Barrientos family, whose most important member for Carabaña, Captain Diego Barrientos, is buried in the parish church. The name of the house comes from the fact that one of Captain Barrientos’ relatives, Doctor Diego Barrientos, had served the viceroys of New Spain as governor of Tlaxcala (Mexico). Hence it being referred to as a Palace. Distinguished soldiers of the Barrientos family served notable men in the history of Spain such as Hernán Cortés, the Duke of Alba, and John of Austria. Its Renaissance design suggests it was built in the 16th century. Initially, it was a larger complex that took up the whole block. One of the side walls overlooked Calle Chávarri and the other overlooked Camino de Orusco. The original palace was of a similar size, featuring a main area destined for use as a residence, as well as a farmhouse with an interior courtyard. The property’s owners have changed over the centuries, as has its appearance and use. During the Civil War, it was used as an equipment warehouse. After the war, it was turned into a prison, and is now a retirement home. In terms of architecture, the building is simple in style with a monolithic brick facade. The most outstanding features on this front wall are the noble coat of arms and the ashlar stone doorway. Two of the windows still have the old latticework that can be seen on other houses of similar style, such as the Casa de los Garnica, opposite the eastern wall of the Church of Our Lady of the Assumption.
