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- "House of Shells"
This house of shells is a major landmark in Salamanca and takes place in the city centre of Salamanca close to the cathedral and plaza Mayor.
The house influenced by gothic, Italian and Moorish architecture was built during the 15th century with an influence of the art of Renaissance. The façade is decorated with more than 300 scallop shells and exquisite iron work due to the fact that its first owner, Rodrigo Arias, was a member of the Order of Santiago (the scallop shell is traditionally associated with St. James, Santiago) Set within these shells, is a beautiful paired Isabeline window (this is the colonette-style window known in Spanish as ajimez) and two exquisite Gothic grilles. This monument is decorated with over 300 sandstone shells and exquisite iron work.
In the 18th century it suffered cracks, causing the upper part to be remodelled leaving it without the shells that decorate the rest of the façade. Its entrance door with a Gothic coat of arms featuring lilies above it is worth mentioning.
The building is currently being used as a public library; the top floor is used as a gallery for local and international artists and exhibitions.