Casa de los Cáceres Ovando, Renaissance palace and tower in Plaza de Santa María, Cáceres, Spain
Casa de los Cáceres Ovando is a Renaissance palace and tower on Plaza de Santa María featuring a distinctive half-moon arch at the entrance and windows adorned with ornamental ironwork. The structure displays the typical layout of a noble residence with thick stone walls, a central courtyard visible from the entrance, and multiple levels of rooms designed for both defense and ceremony.
Construction started in the 15th century but was halted in 1480 by the Catholic Monarchs and completed in 1519. This interruption reflected the political tensions of the era, when the crown sought to limit the power of noble families in the region.
Two medallions at the entrance arch corners depict the founders, while the frieze displays the Ovando family motto 'Aeterna iustorum memoriae'. These carved details show the pride and identity of the family who built this residence.
The residence is privately owned, but visitors can view the central courtyard through the entrance hall at Plaza Santa María 2. Visit in early morning or late afternoon when light catches the facade and its ornamental details most clearly.
The original design called for two symmetrical towers, but only one was ever completed, leaving the building asymmetrical. This unfinished plan quietly reveals the family's initial ambitions, which were curtailed by the political pressures of the time.
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