House of Shells

It is a Late Gothic building with Renaissance and Mudéjar elements. It is the residence of the knight of the Order of Santiago, Don Rodrigo García Maldonado, that is why its façade is decorated with shells as well as with many coats of arms such as Maldonado´ s one with five lilies which are the symbol of his wedding with Doña María de Pimentel, located over the door and the coat of arms of the Catholic Kings placed further up it.

The most outstanding elements are the windows grilles, the courtyard coffered ceiling and finally the three bays staircase that makes possible the access to the upper floor. The palace suffers some changes in the XVIII Century, with overhangs and cracks, in spite of the restoration carried out by Simón Gavilán. Nowadays, the building houses inside an art gallery, the Salamanca public library and the tourist office.