Casa de Miguel Donlope, Renaissance palace in historic center, Zaragoza, Spain
Casa de Miguel Donlope is a Renaissance palace in central Zaragoza with a classical stone front, regularly spaced windows, balconies, and wooden eave designed by craftsman Jaime Fanegas. The building combines northern Italian Renaissance elements with traditional Mudéjar details in its structure and finishes.
The palace was commissioned between 1530 and 1540 by Miguel Donlope, a converted Jewish lawyer from Montmesa, and completed in 1542. Its completion coincided with a period when Zaragoza was reshaping its architectural identity through a blend of different cultural influences.
The interior courtyard displays classic Aragonese design with six fluted Ionic columns supporting the upper gallery, framed by Renaissance wooden ceilings. This spatial arrangement reflects the wealth and taste that flourished in 16th-century Zaragoza.
The palace sits in the historic center next to the Cathedral of La Seo and is easily reached on foot from the main square. Plan adequate time to explore the interior courtyard, as this space contains most of the building's architectural details.
The cupola-shaped wooden ceiling above the staircase was created in 1554 by Bernat Giner and combines craftsmanship with innovative spatial design. This ceiling structure shows how local craftsmen merged traditional techniques with new architectural ideas.
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