Casa Xanxo, Gothic mansion in Perpignan, France
Casa Xanxo is a late Gothic mansion featuring pointed arch windows, ornately carved stone facades, and detailed sculptural work spread across three stories. The building occupies an entire city block and displays characteristic elements of Catalan Gothic with its highly decorated exterior surfaces.
The mansion was built in 1504 by merchant Bernat Xanxo as a private residence and trading establishment. The building later became a Masonic lodge beginning in 1794 and served that purpose until 1920.
The building houses a center focused on architecture and urban development, displaying exhibitions about the historical building styles of Perpignan. Visitors can explore how the city's architecture evolved across different periods.
The building is located on Rue de la Main de Fer in central Perpignan and is easily accessible on foot. Admission is free and visitors can explore the exhibitions across all three levels of the property without restriction.
The facade features an uncommon stone carving depicting the seven deadly sins arranged around a human skull. This unusual sculptural statement symbolized a warning about the afterlife and was a rare choice for a merchant's residence during that era.
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