Palacio de los Condes de Alba y Aliste, Renaissance palace in Plaza de Viriato, Zamora, Spain
The Palacio de los Condes de Alba y Aliste is a Renaissance palace on Plaza de Viriato in Zamora featuring a distinctive double-gallery courtyard. The interior columns carry medallions depicting mythological, biblical, and historical figures in their decoration.
Construction began in 1459 under Enrique Enríquez de Mendoza, the first Count of Alba de Liste, on a site that previously held a Muslim fortress. The building developed according to Renaissance architectural styles that were emerging in Spain at that time.
The carved medallions on the interior columns show biblical and medieval Spanish heroes. These portraits reveal what the nobility of that time valued and remembered.
The palace operates as a Parador hotel where visitors can explore the grounds and visit the garden with its outdoor pool. The quietest time to wander through the courtyard is during off-peak hours away from guest activity periods.
The interior staircase features two scrolled arches with Lombard-style friezes that create a hidden contrast with the plain exterior design. This detail remains invisible from the plaza outside, surprising visitors only when they step into the courtyard.
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