Pontius Pilates' House

Because of D. Pedro Enríquez, Andalusia Major Governor, and his wife, Catalina de Ribera´ s wish, the construction of this building took place. It is considered to be an Andalusian palace “prototype” that mixes elements of the Italian Renaissance with elements of Spanish Mudejar style. The façade of the building is finished off by a Gothic cresting made in Genoa by Antonio María Aprile. Inside, there is an Andalusian courtyard where a fountain becomes the centre, with Plateresque and Mudejar decoration. From this courtyard you access to the two gardens and to a pavilion.

You access to the upper floor through a great staircase decorated with glazed tile baseboards and covered by a wooden dome, where an important collection of paintings from the XVI to the XIX Century has survived: Among them we should highlight: La Piedad (The Piety) by Sebastián del Piombo, from 1539, located in the Sala del Torreón (Hall of the large fortified tower); a small Goya´ s work that represents the pulling of the bull, located in the hall next the previously mentioned one; a still- life By Giusseppe Recco, in the dining room; and a board that represents to Mary Magdalene, from the XVI Century, located in the Hall prior to the archive, in which there are three paintings by Lucas Jordán of great beauty and quality.

Nowadays it is the permanent residence of the Dukes of Medinaceli.