The 16th-century Monterrey Palace was one of the most magnificent Spanish Plateresque-style buildings of its day. Even though this sumptuous mansion and its towers, chimneys, loggias and grotesques are vast, it was never actually finished.
The extravagant palace was built for the Count of Monterrey, but today it is in the hands of another Spanish aristocratic family, the House of Alba. It is one of their official residences and for many years has been closed to the public. However, in 2016 an agreement was signed between the House of Alba Foundation and local authorities to start daily guided tours of the interior.
Even if Monterrey Palace isn't open during your time in Salamanca, it is still well worth spending a few minutes admiring the beautiful exterior. Look over the grand façades and the many decorative elements, such as coats of arms and carvings of lions and monstrous fantasy creatures. Bring a camera with you or a pair of binoculars to study them in detail.
If you are able to tour the interior, peruse some of the important works of art owned by the House of Alba. These include paintings by José de Ribera, a Spanish painter who worked in the first half of the 17th century.
Monterrey Palace is located on the Plaza de Monterrey, a short walk west of Salamanca's Plaza Mayor. To keep up to date with plans to turn the building into a tourist attraction, visit the official website of the House of Alba Foundation. After your visit, stop at some of the other major tourist attractions within a few footsteps of the palace. These include the House of the Dead, the Convent of the Annunciation (Convento de las Úrsulas) and the 17th-century Church of the Purísima. Among the highlights of this building are the paintings on the magnificent altarpiece.
