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All Spain Salamanca Casa de las Conchas
AO Edited

Casa de las Conchas

The facade of this 16th-century building is decorated with carvings of 300 seashells.

Salamanca, Spain

Added By
Alan Newman
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Casa de las Conchas   Dr Alan P Newman / Atlas Obscura User
  Archimedes / Atlas Obscura User
Casa de las Conchas   appolonia
Casa de las Conchas   Dr Alan P Newman / Atlas Obscura User
Casa de las Conchas   appolonia
  laccromyrmex / Atlas Obscura User
Interior detail   Archimedes / Atlas Obscura User
Interior detail   Archimedes / Atlas Obscura User
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Interior   Archimedes / Atlas Obscura User
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Currently used as a public library, this late 15th early 16th-century building contains a facade that reflects the position of its original owner, Rodrigo Arias de Maldonado who was a physician in the court of Queen Isabella I. Maldonado was a professor at the University of Salamanca and a member of the Chivalric Order of Santiago, whose symbol is the scallop shell. The facade of this amazing building is adorned with 300 carvings of scallop shells.

The scallop shell has also long been recognized as a symbol associated with the famous pilgrimage path, the Camino de Santiago. The building has a very attractive central colonnade and courtyard with a central fountain.

This is not the only building in the Atlas that happens to be adorned with shells, but it is unusual in that it contains shell carvings. 

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Buildings History & Culture Design

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Added By

Dr Alan P Newman

Edited By

Vaquero, Luis Morato, Archimedes, laccromyrmex

  • Vaquero
  • Luis Morato
  • Archimedes
  • laccromyrmex

Published

April 29, 2021

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Casa de las Conchas
2 Calle de la Compañía
Salamanca, 37002
Spain
40.962896, -5.66581
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