Information
Landmark: Casa de las ConchasCity: Salamanca
Country: Spain
Continent: Europe
Casa de las Conchas, Salamanca, Spain, Europe
The Casa de las Conchas (House of Shells) is a late Gothic urban palace featuring Plateresque elements, located opposite the Clerecía in Salamanca. It is one of the city's most distinctive and photographed landmarks.
Visual Characteristics
Facade: The most defining feature is the collection of more than 300 scallop shells (shells of St. James) carved in Villamayor sandstone decorating the exterior walls.
Ornamentation: It displays the coats of arms of the Maldonado and Pimentel families, along with elegant wrought-iron window grilles on the ground floor, considered among the finest examples of Spanish Gothic ironwork.
Inner Courtyard: Features a blend of mixtilinear arches and decoration combining Gothic, Renaissance, and Mudéjar motifs.
Location & Access
Address: C. de la Compañía, 2, 37002 Salamanca.
Current Use: Houses the Salamanca Public Library.
Access: Entry to the courtyard and library is free.
Hours: Monday–Friday: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM; Saturday: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM; Sunday: Closed.
Key Highlights
Symbolism: The shells represent the owner’s (Rodrigo Arias Maldonado) membership in the Order of Santiago. Local legend claims a gold coin is hidden beneath one of the shells.
Staircase: The grand staircase is decorated with the coat of arms of the Catholic Monarchs.
Nearby Landmarks
La Clerecía (Pontifical University): Directly across the street.
Plaza Mayor: 0.3km North.
Salamanca Cathedral: 0.3km South.
University of Salamanca: 0.2km South.
