Vázquez de Molina Palace

The Vazquez de Molina Palace, also known as the Palace of the Chains is a renaissance palace located in Vazquez de Molina Square in Úbeda (Jaén). It is considered to be one of the best examples of the Renaissance architecture in Spain.

Vázquez de Molina Palace
Main façade
Map
Former namesPalace of the Chaims
General information
TypePalace
Architectural styleRenaissance
LocationÚbeda, Spain
Coordinates38°0′28.93″N 3°22′6.48″W / 38.0080361°N 3.3684667°W / 38.0080361; -3.3684667
Current tenantsTown council
Construction started1546
Completed1565
ClientJuan Vázquez de Molina
Design and construction
Architect(s)Andrés de Vandelvira

History

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The palace was built by Juan Vazquez de Molina, nephew of Francisco de los Cobos, and secretary of State for Philip II. The project was given to Andrés de Vandelvira who built it between 1546 and 1565.

After the death of the owner the palace became a convent of Dominican nuns, and was remodeled to accommodate the religious community. The mural paintings in the former chapter house can still be seen.

In 1837, after the Ecclesiastical Confiscations of Mendizábal, the building became the City hall.

Architecture

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The palace was designed as a quadrilateral with a two-storey courtyard. The façade has three storeys and is divided into seven vertical sections of different widths.

Architectural features of the main facade include the central portal, the triangular pediments that cap the windows of the main floor, the oval bull's-eye windows (porthole) and caryatids of the second floor, the projecting cornice and the lanterns placed at the corners of the roof.

Sources

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  • Bertrand Jestaz (1995). The art of the Renaissance. Abrams. ISBN 0810919486.
  • José Camón Aznar (1973). Arquitectura y orfebrería españolas del siglo XVI. Espasa Calpe. ISBN 978-84-239-5217-5.