Old town hall of Laredo, Medieval town hall in Laredo, Spain
The Old Town Hall of Laredo is a medieval structure located within the base of the walled quarter, which is organized along six parallel streets near the church of Santa Maria de la Asuncion. Rectangular defensive walls with two original gates, San Marcial and San Martin, enclose this area and define its form and access points.
King Alfonso VIII granted Laredo a royal charter in 1200, establishing it as one of the Four Maritime Villas and triggering significant urban growth in the following centuries. The medieval layout and structures that developed from this recognition continue to form the core of the old quarter today.
The medieval quarter remains a working residential area where locals move through narrow streets lined with stone buildings and open onto small plazas. The church of Santa Maria de la Asuncion stands as a central gathering point that continues to serve the community.
The medieval quarter is best explored on foot, with entry through either of the two preserved gates in the surrounding walls. Comfortable shoes are helpful since the narrow streets have varied elevation and all sites within the area are accessible from a central location.
Built in the 1850s within the medieval area, the House of Four Seasons features carved elements representing the four seasons on its facade. This 19th-century addition demonstrates how later architectural layers were introduced into the historic medieval fabric.
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