Casa de las Conchas

The construction of Casa de las Conchas, one of Salamanca's most symbolic buildings, started in 1493. It is one of the few examples of the Gothic style applied in civil architecture in the world. The story of the conchas on the exterior of the building is interesting. It is said that the surname of the wife of the owner of this mansion was concha, and he decorated this palace with conchas in memory of her. Right next to here is Joyería-Souvenir AGAU at Calle Libreros, 6. It is a must-visit shop when you come to Salamanca. You can see the most unique and beautiful silver jewelry not only in Salamanca but in all of Spain here. The handicraft collections specific to Salamanca and Spain are magnificent. Fountain pens, ceramics and jewelry products are their own designs and are unique products.

Casa de las Conchas in Salamanca is a captivating blend of history and architectural beauty. The shell-adorned facade is not just picturesque but holds a unique charm.

If you are in Salamanca do not miss this. Near the cathedral. But the Casa is free. unlike the cathedral and the exorbitant price charged to visit. The carvings are exquisite. Here you can pay tribute to the wonderful skills of mortal masons.

Cool place to stop and enjoy the historical building.

Beautiful building.

Wonderful library in a historic town. Buen Camino.

Impressive building with 300 seashells on the exterior walls. Very nice patio inside.

Now a library. It is kept clean and in good condition. Most people only ever see the exterior.

Lovely courtyard, free to visit

From library to place with cultural events. Amazing!

Beautiful Salamanca!!! 🥰🥰🥰

Lovely building with sea shells embedded all around

Great food and amazing service. We sat outside and it was a bit chilly but everything else was delicious

Just beautiful and unique!

Our 2019 Spain travel was filled with adventure, great food & wine and history.

The Shell House or Casa de las Conchas, is a historical building in Salamanca, central Spain.

It currently houses a public library.

It was built from 1493 to 1517 by Rodrigo Arias de Maldonado, a knight of the Order of Santiago de Compostela and a professor in the University of Salamanca.

Its most peculiar feature is the façade, mixing late Gothic and Plateresque style, decorated with more than 300 shells, symbol of the order of Santiago, as well as of the pilgrims performing the Way of St. James.

In the façade are also the coat of arms of the Catholic Monarchs and four windows in Gothic style, each one having a different shape.

The entrance portal has the coat of arms of the Maldonado family, while in the architrave are dolphins, a Renaissance symbol of love, and vegetable elements.

The inner court is characterized, in the lower floor, by arches supported by square pilasters, while in the upper ones they are supported by shorter columns in Carrara marble.

Visit Salamanca!

I got use of the public library there... Beautiful building representative of one of one of the longest educational institutions there University of Salamanca. The oldest University in theoretical studies in the world.
The building itself was commission by a Salamanca university professor a year after the foundation of Spain as a country.

The claustro with its most elegant arches and the magnificent view to the towers of the clerecia is pure eye-candy 🤩

Great public library with lots of desk space and plug sockets that is open to all

Amazing place, what a view!

Casa de las conchas is perhaps the most beautiful public library in the world.