The palace adorned with conch shells

Casa de las Conchas, a building in Salamanca, Spain, boasts an extraordinary exterior. Over 300 conch shells decorate it, each one symbolizing the Order of Santiago and a pilgrim’s journey on the Way of St. James. The structure was constructed between 1493 and 1517 by Rodrigo Arias de Maldonado, a knight of the Order of Santiago de Compostela and a university professor. Positioned in the heart of Salamanca, the edifice harmoniously combines late Gothic and Plateresque styles. The Catholic Monarchs’ crest and four windows in unique Gothic shapes are additional specifics on the façade. The entrance portal reveals the Maldonado family’s emblem, flanked by dolphins and vegetable motifs, two common Renaissance symbols of love. Currently, you can visit Casa de las Conchas to witness its historical splendor, as it now houses a public library.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons