PALACIO DE RODRIGUEZ DE FIGUEROA
15 minutes
The Rodríguez Figueroa Palace, built in the 16th century by Juan Rodríguez de Figueroa —a prominent figure in the royal administration—, stands in the heart of Salamanca. Its facades open onto two of the streets leading from Plaza Mayor: Concejo Street and Zamora Street, both featuring beautiful Renaissance doorways and medallions of notable artistic value. For over a century, this emblematic building has housed the Casino de Salamanca, a prestigious hospitality establishment that has played a significant role in the city's social life.
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Free visit price
- Individual - 0.00 €
The Rodríguez de Figueroa Palace occupies a plot located between Concejo Street and Zamora Street, with facades facing both streets. Its construction is attributed to Juan Rodríguez de Figueroa (1519-1565), a figure who held important positions in the courts of Charles V and Philip II. He studied at the College of San Bartolomé, was a professor at the University of Salamanca, and a knight of the Order of Santiago. He served as president of the Council of Orders and the Council of Castile.
The exact date of construction is unknown, although stylistically it is dated to the mid-16th century, and regarding authorship, it is attributed to the circle of Rodrigo Gil de Hontañón or Hontañón himself. It belonged until the late 19th century to the descendants of the entailment founded by Juan Rodríguez de Figueroa. In the early 20th century, the Casino was established here, first for rent and, from 1919, as its owner. From that moment on, it underwent a series of renovations that altered its layout, elevation, and interior.
Until the early 20th century, it preserved its original structure. On Calle del Concejo, towards Plaza de la Libertad, stood a two-story tower with a beautiful gallery. Although it had previous renovations, such as the one that opened a triple Secessionist-style window on the Zamora Street facade, the two most important renovations were carried out in 1920 and 1948. Santiago Madrigal was responsible for the 1920 renovation, extending the line of both facades, which allowed him to open more windows and a door, but he respected the original height and tower. Inside, several arcades were added to the courtyard, and the original skylight that covered it was replaced by the current one, made of metal and glass, featuring the city's coat of arms in its center. The interior rooms were decorated in a historicist style with the intervention of Bilbao decorator Luis Lerchundi. In the 1948 renovation, carried out by Fernando Población, an additional floor was added to both facades, the tower was demolished, and the courtyard was enlarged by incorporating the cafeteria.
Of the original building, its two portals and some of its windows are still preserved. The structure of both facades is very similar: they feature a semicircular arch framed by fluted columns that support the entablature. In the spandrels, beautiful medallions are displayed, interpreted as idealized portraits of the owners. Above the door, a window is topped by a medallion representing the Eternal Father on Calle del Concejo and Saint Michael or Saint George on Calle de Zamora. The coats of arms flanking the windows of the noble floor have pecked fields.
The exact date of construction is unknown, although stylistically it is dated to the mid-16th century, and regarding authorship, it is attributed to the circle of Rodrigo Gil de Hontañón or Hontañón himself. It belonged until the late 19th century to the descendants of the entailment founded by Juan Rodríguez de Figueroa. In the early 20th century, the Casino was established here, first for rent and, from 1919, as its owner. From that moment on, it underwent a series of renovations that altered its layout, elevation, and interior.
Until the early 20th century, it preserved its original structure. On Calle del Concejo, towards Plaza de la Libertad, stood a two-story tower with a beautiful gallery. Although it had previous renovations, such as the one that opened a triple Secessionist-style window on the Zamora Street facade, the two most important renovations were carried out in 1920 and 1948. Santiago Madrigal was responsible for the 1920 renovation, extending the line of both facades, which allowed him to open more windows and a door, but he respected the original height and tower. Inside, several arcades were added to the courtyard, and the original skylight that covered it was replaced by the current one, made of metal and glass, featuring the city's coat of arms in its center. The interior rooms were decorated in a historicist style with the intervention of Bilbao decorator Luis Lerchundi. In the 1948 renovation, carried out by Fernando Población, an additional floor was added to both facades, the tower was demolished, and the courtyard was enlarged by incorporating the cafeteria.
Of the original building, its two portals and some of its windows are still preserved. The structure of both facades is very similar: they feature a semicircular arch framed by fluted columns that support the entablature. In the spandrels, beautiful medallions are displayed, interpreted as idealized portraits of the owners. Above the door, a window is topped by a medallion representing the Eternal Father on Calle del Concejo and Saint Michael or Saint George on Calle de Zamora. The coats of arms flanking the windows of the noble floor have pecked fields.
The interior was completely renovated throughout the various reforms carried out during the 20th century, in order to adapt it to its new function as the Salamanca Casino. The building has various rooms, some reserved exclusively for members and others open to the public when exhibitions, concerts, or conferences are held. The most notable are:
• RENAISSANCE COURTYARD: although reformed, it still retains a large part of its original structure. It has a double gallery, with semi-circular arches in the lower part and a lintelled structure in the upper part. Banquets, concerts, conferences, and social events are held in this splendid setting.
• STAIRCASE
• ASSEMBLY HALL: a spacious room, equipped with 156 seats, where assemblies are held and other previously announced social activities take place.
• EXHIBITION HALL: mainly for painting and photography.
• BILLIARD ROOM
• READING ROOM
• CAFETERIA: with access for the general public from Calle del Concejo.
• RENAISSANCE COURTYARD: although reformed, it still retains a large part of its original structure. It has a double gallery, with semi-circular arches in the lower part and a lintelled structure in the upper part. Banquets, concerts, conferences, and social events are held in this splendid setting.
• STAIRCASE
• ASSEMBLY HALL: a spacious room, equipped with 156 seats, where assemblies are held and other previously announced social activities take place.
• EXHIBITION HALL: mainly for painting and photography.
• BILLIARD ROOM
• READING ROOM
• CAFETERIA: with access for the general public from Calle del Concejo.