The Palace 1570

Isabel Mendoza, widow of Martín de Chaves Calderón, commissioned the Trujillo architect Francisco Becerra, in 1570, to build a residence for his family. Becerra designed and built a unique building. So unique, that it is the only Palace in the world that has a corner door and window.

To support the corner load of the entire block in two spans, Becerra used Gothic technology with pointed arches; the pointed entrance arch was framed with a simple alfiz-shaped molding, under a classic Renaissance pediment that frames the coats of arms of the last names of the Chaves-Mendoza couple. The balcony is flanked by two slender columns that in turn support the pediment and give the whole an upward feeling as opposed to the slope of Calle Palomas. Becerra merged Gothic and Renaissance.

This corner balcony has deserved the honor of sharing the 50 pesetas coin of 1993, commemorating Extremadura, on the obverse, together with the Roman Bridge of Alcántara.

Shield of the Alava origin of Isabel Mendoza. Red Band to the side with Gold Profiles in green field. On the left, that of her husband Chaves Calderón