Openhouse - Solo Palacio
Solo Palacio will lull you into succumbing to the rhythms of nature and the elusive beauty of the imperfect, taking you to a place where reality hangs suspended as daylight etches its way across the contours of time. In the early morning, the green of the mountains of Las Ubiñas Nature Reserve peeks through its mysterious white veil. Mist crowns the tops of the trees that tumble across this Cantabrian mountain range. Life unfolds as the mist meanders through every pond. The first rays of light bathe the hills and every outline of the landscape, and from the moss come the sounds of small creatures rustling themselves awake. Occasionally the sound of a grouse can be heard, or distant hooves on the grass. Inside, a curtain is parted. Through half-open eyes, we search for that perfect moment where light and silence meet. The shadow of a vase stretches, accentuating its imperious form. The centuries-old wooden window frames trap the incipient glow between their weathered cracks. Multiple buildings make up this stately rural Asturian architectural gem called Solo Palacio, a veritable sanctuary nestled in the vastness of these extraordinary surroundings.
Sofia Tejerina Mata, the brand manager at this rural lodging, finds that the word that best describes the place is “simplicity”. “We called it Solo Palacio because above all we wanted to say that it is something unpretentious, that it is solely that. Moreover, it is in the middle of nowhere, so you can truly feel the solitude you seek.” The stillness here contrasts with the light, constantly changing during the day. “We’re in a mountain range with towering peaks where the light shifts into ever-changing tones. It might be cloudy in the morning, but by midday the sky has a summery shade of blue; the photos you take look like postcards from the 1950s. In the evening, as the sun sets, a soft, golden light appears. It’s amazing how the light changes throughout the day.” Sofia also appreciates the chiaroscuro of Solo Palacio’s history. “The first known construction here was a watchtower built between the 11th and 13th centuries, of which only one wall remains in the east wing of the main block. Most of the current palace dates back to the 15th century, but the final stage of the building was erected in the 19th century.” This listed stately home in Asturias is known as the Palace of Miranda-Quirós, and was “the home of nobles since the time of Philip II.” Amid the enduring traces left by men on this sanctuary in the wilderness, Sofía alludes instead to a woman. She explains: “Of all the women who lived here, I chose Inés de Miranda to be the face of our brand. We were inspired by the Miranda Quirós coat of arms, on which there are two keys and five virgins protected by two snakes.”Text by Albert Fernández, read the full story here
Photographed for Openhouse in Asturias
