Casa del Mono, Cáceres, Gothic palace in Old Town, Cáceres, Spain.
Casa del Mono is a Gothic palace in Cáceres' Old Town featuring three gargoyles on its facade depicting a weeping woman, an elderly man, and a monkey holding a child. The structure now serves as a specialized library and research center open to visitors.
The palace was built in the 15th century when Gonzalo de Cáceres and Marina Alonso de los Nidos commissioned it as their residence. The structure has evolved over the centuries, serving different purposes in the city.
The interior courtyard holds a statue of a chained monkey that sparked many local legends and gave the building its name. This sculpture remains a focal point of stories that people in the city still tell today.
The building is easy to spot from the outside and sits in Cáceres' walkable Old Town. Keep in mind that this is a research center, so visiting hours may be limited compared to regular museums.
The building once served as the city's Fine Arts Museum before transforming into its current role as a library and research center. This repurposing shows how historical structures can remain important to a city's intellectual life.
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