Jaime Martínez Bordiú discusses the reopening of Casa Cornide, stating, "We no longer frequent that place"
The 18th-century Baroque palace, Casa Cornide, in A Coruña, Spain, has recently been opened to the public for the first time in decades, following its declaration as a Cultural Heritage Site (Bien de Interés Cultural, or BIC) in the early 2020s. The palace, linked to the Franco family for decades, had resisted legally mandated public access until recently.
Jaime Martínez Bordiú, the grandson of Francisco Franco, spoke openly about the Casa Cornide's current situation at the Starlite Gala. He confirmed that the family no longer uses the Casa Cornide and that it is now open to the public because it's required by law. The palace's initial opening allows visits primarily on Mondays, with a legal minimum of four days a month.
Currently, the Casa Cornide remains mostly empty, with historical elements like a stone sculpture of Santiago peregrino and medieval plaques placed during expert visits. However, the palace has not been fully restored or refurnished for public display yet.
The local government has expressed its intentions to incorporate the Casa Cornide into public heritage, following the precedent of the Pazo de Meirás. This move is expected to lead to a transition of ownership from the Franco family to public authorities.
In the future, the site is expected to undergo extensive restoration and expansion of visiting hours, although no official timeline has been released. The Casa Cornide's reopening represents a significant cultural milestone for A Coruña and Galicia, as it transitions from a privately owned building to a public cultural asset.
| Aspect | Status as of August 2025 | Future Plans/Outlook | |-----------------------|------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------| | Ownership | Still owned by the Franco family, but contested by public authorities[1] | Likely transition towards public ownership under municipal/state claims[1] | | Public Access | Open since August 4, 2025, one day per week (Mondays), with legal minimum of four days/month[1][2][4] | Expected gradual increase in access and compliance with BIC laws | | Condition and Exhibits| Interior mostly empty, historical elements present but few restorations or exhibitions[2] | Potential restorations and curated public displays to enhance cultural value (no official timeline yet) | | Legal Context | Declared BIC in early 2020s; legal procedures concluding in 2023 enforced public opening[1][3] | Ongoing legal and heritage management to secure public use and protection |
As the Casa Cornide continues its transition towards public ownership and increased accessibility, it is poised to become a significant cultural attraction for A Coruña and the region of Galicia.
With the Franco family's upcoming transition of ownership, the Casa Cornide, currently a weekly public attraction, is anticipated to evolve into a prominent home-and-garden cultural destination in the Galicia region, as it undergoes extensive restoration and expansion of visiting hours. The newly opened palace, featuring historical exhibits, offers a glimpse into the region's heritage and lifestyle, setting the stage for a future fully refurbished home-and-garden exhibit.
