Construido en : 1926 
Arquitecto : Pedro Adolfo Castro
Estilo arquitectónico: Colonial Español 


El Castillo Serrallés  es una mansión impresionante localizada en la Ciudad de Ponce, Puerto Rico., mirando hacia la ciudad(Ponce Pueblo).  Fue construida durante 1930 por Juan Eugenio Serrallés, fundador de La Destilera Serrales,  hijo de Juan Serrallés '.Actualmente el castillo es un Museo con información sobre la caña de azúcar  y la industria del Ron y el impacto en la economía de Puerto Rico.  Está abierto al público desde febrero 1991. La estructura está ubicada en 25 acres de terreno. Está inscrita  en el Registro Nacional de Lugares Históricos desde 1980 .                   

Historia:

Rosita Serralles, quien murió en 20061, decidió vender el Castillo Serrallés a la ciudad de Ponce en vez de pasarlo a sus hijos. El Castilllo fue valorado en $17-$25 millones de dólares, , pero ella lo vendió por solo $350.00 incluyendo los muebles. La intención de la ciudad fue convertirla originalmente en el Museo de Música puertorriqueña. El museo fue establecido posteriormente en algún sitio en la ciudad.                      

 Aunque estuvo vacío en 1956 la mansión Serrallés se ha mantenido en buenas condiciones y ha mantenido su integridad arquitectónica` sus alteraciones estrucutrales fueron de pequeñas proporciones que permitió mantener el efecto original hecho con el mínimo esfuerzo .  

En 1980, la propiedad aun pertenecía a  Rosa Serralles Torruella and Felix J. Serralles Sanchez. 

 Construcción:

El castillo fue construido por el arquitecto local Pedro Adolfo de Castro y Besosa .Se construyó mirando la ciudad de Ponce. Incluye dos terrazas, una fuente exterior y un jardín simétrico. En su interior hay una entrada lujosa, un espacioso comedor y un patio interior

La moda europea era el estilo de vida preferido en esta parte de la isla. Los edificios y casas fueron construídos en estilo Europeo y Mediterraneo por el sur y la costa oeste de Puerto Rico.El resultado de este interés cultural proveyó trabajo a artistas, artesanos y arquitectos cuyas creaciones tendieron a reforzar la imagen de identidad étnica.

Sin embargo  El Castillo  Serralles no está basado en diseño indigena.  su significado arquitectónico  descanza  en el hecho  que fue diseñado para adaptarse a las condicioens climáticas del Caribe.

          its architectural significance lies in the fact that is was designed to adapt well with Caribbean climatic conditions. Its workmanship, its interior decorations, its furniture (designed exclusively for this mansion) and even its floor plan, reflect cultural attitudes of the times.[13]

Other homes built in a similar grand manner no longer exists in such fine condition. Numerous other structures were built later to last, but none match the Serralles mansion in setting, landscaping, and attention to detail. The estate stands alone gracing El Vigia, visible from nearly every part of the city, as a constant reminder to all Ponceños of their heritage.[14]

Apariencia física

The Serralles mansion is located on the South side of El Vigia, the name given to one of the rolling foothills to the north of the center of Ponce. The building's "Y" shape plan and large central patio area take maximum esthetic advantage of the setting, commanding an impressive view of the city from its eastern, southern, and western elevations while maintaining privacy and elegance on its elevation. [15]

The house, built in 1926, has four floors. The ground floor is partly a basement and is dedicated to service quarters and garage. The second cotains the library, a central patio, a solarium, the living room, dining room, and kitchen. The third floors contains all the sleeping quarters. The fourth floor is really the roof/terrace, it has tiled floor and various covered areas. It used mostly for entertaining. [16]

Designed in a popular fashion of the 1920s representing Spanish Mediterranean influence, the building adapted well to the Caribbean climate and was congruent with Spanish influence existing throughout the island as well as in Ponce. All elevations feature round arches or modified coyned arches over ample window and door openings trimmed in wood. Many of these are richly adorned, with small stained glass panes and lead mullians, framed between neo-classsic half columns. Several openings also exhibit ornate iron work as additional decoration. The building was constructed entirely of concrete, including the roofs of the upper floors. Two towers that punctuate the east and west sides of the base of the "Y" plan have red roof tiles as do the dormers and all other hipped or shed roofs. The exterior of the buildings is finished in smooth stucco and simulates coursed stone masonry. [17]

The house has remained in the Serralles family since the time of its construction, and has suffered only minor alterations. The two most obvious alterations are, (1) The replacement of a set of four mullioned windows with aluminum jallousie windows in the west bedroom passageway; and the blocking-in of a service entrance at the rear of the house on the garden level. On the whole the house maintains its original architectual and decorative integrity. [18]

Access to the main entrance on the second level of the north elevation is by way of either of two semi-circular stairways which run from the covered carriage entrance on the ground level of the north elevation. At the top of the stairs, double french doors open into a large vestibule with a ceramic tile floor, representative of the floor coverings throughout the house. The view from this room reveals and open patio with a fountain, a series of planters which accent a solarium at the extreme end of the house and a gallery running the circumference of the patio. To the left of the vestibule, the living room is both visible and graciously accessible. This is the only room that features a parquet floor. It remains intact and has recently been repaired and refinished. All of the original furniture in the room has been removed by the owners throughout the years since 1956 when they closed the house and moved to other locations. [19]

Museo-Renovación:

When the city turned the estate into a museum, the entire basement was remodeled. The four original water storage tanks located the basement were removed. The basement also had workers' quarters and the car garage. All of these were also removed to male rooms for several offices, an auditorium, and a restaurant. The city also rejuvenated the surrounding landscape.[20] The backyard now consists of lush green grass, fountains, manicured shrubs, and lights. The first floor also houses an outdoor square that is covered by the roof over the second floor. The city uses this area to showcase the work of local artists and photographers.