Monterrey Palace (Salamanca)
Considered a standout construction of the Plateresque artistic period, Monterrey Palace is a spectacular building built by the Third Count of Monterrey, Don Alonso de Zúñiga y Acevedo Fonseca. The work began in 1539, and its beauty and spectacularity inspired many architects during the 19th century, resulting in what is known as the Monterrey Style.
The palace was an ambitious project that included sumptuously decorated towers. Its construction was carried out by important architects and artists such as Rodrigo Gil de Hontañón, Fray Martín de Santiago and Pedro de Ibarra.
Its design, with a three-story quadrangular plan and central patio, included towers in each of its corners, though only the one in the south wing was built. It also included splendid decorations that featured dreamlike animals and lions holding the heraldry of the Acevedo, Zúñiga, Sotomayor, Ulloa and Fonseca, along with Renaissance arches and Plateresque windows and balconies.
In addition to being a source of inspiration for 19th- and 20th-century architects, Monterrey Palace houses an impressive artistic collection that includes paintings by José de Ribera, Salvatore Rosa, Alonso Sánchez Coello and Manuel Benedito.
After an ambitious restoration in 2018, Monterrey Palace was transformed into a museum of enormous value and attraction, thus receiving the declaration of a National Historical Monument. Since then, it has become one of the most visited places by tourists, professors and academics due to its architectural beauty and spectacular artistic collection.
The palace was an ambitious project that included sumptuously decorated towers. Its construction was carried out by important architects and artists such as Rodrigo Gil de Hontañón, Fray Martín de Santiago and Pedro de Ibarra.
Its design, with a three-story quadrangular plan and central patio, included towers in each of its corners, though only the one in the south wing was built. It also included splendid decorations that featured dreamlike animals and lions holding the heraldry of the Acevedo, Zúñiga, Sotomayor, Ulloa and Fonseca, along with Renaissance arches and Plateresque windows and balconies.
In addition to being a source of inspiration for 19th- and 20th-century architects, Monterrey Palace houses an impressive artistic collection that includes paintings by José de Ribera, Salvatore Rosa, Alonso Sánchez Coello and Manuel Benedito.
After an ambitious restoration in 2018, Monterrey Palace was transformed into a museum of enormous value and attraction, thus receiving the declaration of a National Historical Monument. Since then, it has become one of the most visited places by tourists, professors and academics due to its architectural beauty and spectacular artistic collection.
Location
What to see in Salamanca
