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The House of Shells is in the Gothic style. Its construction was begun at the end of the 15th century, although it also has Renaissance and Mudejar elements. It belongs to what is known as Isabelline art. This unusual building was created for a nobles wedding is famous due to the exterior decoration consisting of over three hundred shells. In the 18th century it suffered cracks, causing the upper part to be remodelled leaving it without the shells that decorate the rest of the façade. Its entrance door with a Gothic coat of arms featuring lilies above it is worth mentioning. Today it houses the Salamanca public library and an information office. Urban Palace representative of the new nobility of the sixteenth century courtesan . The building was created for the wedding of Don Rodrigo Arias Maldonado Dona Maria Pimentel. Lis shells and flowers, symbols of both families, are scattered throughout the building.There have been major modifications and restorations, it has now become a national library for the enjoyment of all citizens. In those time of great political and social changes, the Catholic Monarchs strengthened their control and power. They developed a court nobility that in exchange for their obedience is incorporated into the state apparatus and receives significant social and economic privileges. Contacts with Italy are receiving Renaissance influences that translate into a taste for art and aesthetics. The purpose of the noble struggle and final defeat of the Muslims opened a period of peace, cities become a safe place and leave their castles rural nobility and return to urban areas. There is a resurgence of the city, construction of civil buildings multiplied among them the urban palace. The city palace became a symbol of power of the nobility. It can be observed is reminiscent of medieval castle: towers, which stand proud on the rest of the buildings in the city, and a crest that would evoke the battlements. The external and internal walls are filled with emblems and symbols of lord of the manor, proud of their status, it shows the rest of the citizens. Salamanca not be left out of this " rebirth "as reflected in an intellectual awakening and architectural expansion , one of whose samples is the House of Shells. Salamanca Location Calle Compañía 2 37002 Salamanca (Salamanca) E-mail:oficinadeturismodesalamanca@jcyl.es http://www.bibliotecaspublicas.es/salamanca/index.htm Tel.:+34 923269317 +34 923268571 Prices Admission free Interior courtyard only open for visits
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