{{Infobox building | name = Soneira Castle | native_name = {{lang|es|Castillo Soneira}} | alternate_names = Casa Quinta Soneira | image = Castillo Soneira.jpg | image_size = | caption = | location = Montevideo, Uruguay | coordinates = {{coord|-34.858730|-56.196555|type:landmark_region:UY|display=title}} | status = Complete | construction_start_date = 1861 | completion_date = 1871 | opening_date = | inauguration_date = | architect = Víctor Rabú | owner = | cost = | floor_area = | floor_count = | references = | highest_region = | highest_prev = | highest_start = | highest_end = | highest_next = | building_type = {{hlist|Housing|Office building}} | architectural_style = Gothic Revival architecture | current_tenants = | architectural = | observatory = | elevator_count = | structural_engineer = | services_engineer = | main_contractor = | ren_architect = Camille Gardelle | renovation_date = 1912 | developer = }} The '''Soneira Castle''' (Spanish: ''Castillo Soneira'') is a neo-Gothic building located in the Prado neighborhood of Montevideo, Uruguay. Constructed in the 1860s by French architect Victor Rabu, it was designated a National Historic Monument in 1999.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Resolución N° 523/999 |url=https://www.impo.com.uy/bases/resoluciones/523-1999/1 |access-date=2025-06-14 |website=www.impo.com.uy}}</ref>
== History == Soneira Castle was commissioned by Dorotea Peláez Villademoros, the widow of Francisco Antonio Soneira y Aguiar, a Galician-born merchant who settled in Uruguay in 1810 and died in 1835, leaving only one son.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-11-14 |title=El castillo Soneira de Montevideo |url=https://www.lavozdegalicia.es/noticia/carballo/camarinas/2018/11/14/castillo-soneira-montevideo/0003_201811C14C2992.htm |access-date=2025-06-14 |website=La Voz de Galicia |language=es}}</ref> In the aftermath of the Uruguayan Civil War, during the 1860s, the Prado area began to emerge as a popular countryside retreat for the country’s elite.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-10-01 |title=Prado: el tiempo inexistente de un balneario que nunca fue |url=https://ladiaria.com.uy/lento/articulo/2022/10/prado-el-tiempo-inexistente-de-un-balneario-que-nunca-fue/ |access-date=2025-06-14 |website=la diaria |language=es-UY}}</ref> Within this context, Dorotea hired French architect Victor Rabu to design a two-story residence that would serve as the new home for the Soneira family. thumb|Castle's main corridor The basement level housed the service quarters and kitchen, while the attic was home to the art studio of painter Federico Soneira Villademoros, son of the original owners.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Federico Soneira Villademoros (1830 - 1900) |url=https://museos.gub.uy/index.php/component/k2/item/2207-federico-soneira-villademoros-1830-1900?highlight=WyJhcnRlIl0= |access-date=2025-06-14 |website=museos.gub.uy |language=es-es}}</ref> The castle underwent major renovations between 1912 and 1914, led by architect Camille Gardelle.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Casa Quinta de Soneira {{!}} Municipio C |url=https://municipioc.montevideo.gub.uy/node/42 |access-date=2025-06-14 |website=municipioc.montevideo.gub.uy}}</ref> Inside, the moldings, stained glass, and marquetry flooring were refurbished, while the exterior saw the redesign of the main façade and the addition of a tennis court, swimming pool, and stables.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Prado: Restauran destacada casa quinta del patrimonio arquitectónico de Montevideo - Radiomundo En Perspectiva |url=https://enperspectiva.uy/en-perspectiva-programa/los-ojos-de-rosario/restauran-una-de-las-obras-mas-importantes-de-montevideo/ |access-date=2025-06-14 |website=enperspectiva.uy}}</ref>
In 2009, Lutheran Colegio San Pablo acquired the property for one million US dollars, intending to use it for high school and pre-university courses.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2009-10-30 |title=Viejos escenarios de la vida |url=https://www.elpais.com.uy/domingo/viejos-escenarios-de-la-vida |access-date=2025-06-14 |website=EL PAIS |language=en}}</ref>
== References == <references /> Category:Buildings and structures in Montevideo Category:Buildings and structures completed in the 1870s Category:Prado, Montevideo Category:Gothic Revival architecture in Uruguay