Introduction to Santa Cruz Palace: The Palacio de Santa Cruz (Palacio de Santa Cruz) is a Baroque building ordered to be built in 1629 by King Philip IV of Spain. Initially, it was used as a court and prison; in 1767 it was converted into a royal palace. In a fire in 1791, the palace was basically completely destroyed, and only the outer facade remained. The building was later renovated and is now used by the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.