Murcia Casino was constituted on 11 June 1847 in a small palace in the former calle de Lucas. After a number of years purchasing property and decoration the Association extended its premises to calle Traperia, where in 1901 the main entrance and façade were completed.

Main façade

The work of architect don Pedro Cerdán Martinez. Eclectic style, with decorative elements from classical and modern trends.

Vestibule

A masterful combination of cabinetwork, marble and plaster. The horseshoe archway leading to the Arabic patio is beautifully carved in walnut.

Arabic patio

Like the vestibule, the work of Madrilenian artist Manuel Castaflos and his team. There are two levels, crowned by a great iron and glass dome, which represents the highest part of the Casino.

A beautiful work inspired on the royal suites of the Alhambra in Granada and Alcázar in Seville. The constantly repeated Arabic text means: “No one greater than God”.

Library

Designed in 1916 by the English firm Waking Gillow, it is a qua-

drangular room on two levels with zenithal lighting. There are 25 reading points, each with individual lamp and chair, and 20.150 books on catalogue. Members can read most Spanish newspapers and magazines.

Gallery or private thoroughfare

A curious detail of the Casino is its enormous central gallery, which is really a covered passage or private thoroughfare. Furthermore it is a meeting point, with access to all the various rooms in the building. A reminder of the great round room in the Hotel Palace, Madrid.

An elegant room, opposite the Library, which accommodated select gruops from Murcia and which today is used for various social and cultural acts.

Pompeian Patio

An impressive work of architecture, with 14 monolithic-shaft columns - from the quarries of Macael - crowned by beautiful Ionic capitals.

In the centre is a sculpture by José Planes (3rd prize in the National exhibition of 1920).

Billiard Room

A beautiful coffered ceiling in wood, decorated with predominantly geometrical motifs. Four semicircular arches provide light for the interior. Directional lamps over the tables and a heating system underneath. The Billiard Room has been the venue of important championships.

Occupying part of the former armoury, the Powder Room is an example of luxury and artistic workmanship.

The canvas decorating the ceiling -4.65 x 5.65 metres- is the work of José Mann Baldo, who finished it in 1922. It is an allegory of the night, representing the goddess Selene. The eyes and figure of a winged woman, falling amid flames, appear to follow you around the room.

Anteroom of the

Ball-room

The Pompeian Patio leads up to the anteroom of the Ball-room. At the sides are reproductions of sculptures from the Vatican Museum, representing Danaides and Amazon by Polycletus.

A painting by Pedro Sanchez

Picazo (Basket of flowers) and

another by A. Gil Montijano

(Painter’s studio), from 1909, and 1892 respectively.

HERE YOU CAN SEE SOME IMAGES OF THE CASINO, THE PLACE WERE WE´LL HAVE THE CLOSURE DINNER