The Palace of the Constables of Castile

The Palace of the Constables of Castile or House of the Cord is considered one of the best examples of civil architecture in Burgos. Commissioned by the Constables of Castile, the palace was built between the years 1482 and 1492 by Simón de Colonia. The popular name given to the palace comes from the motif -representing the cord that Franciscan monks wear around their habits- shown on the façade. The ornament forms a tympanum that frames the coats of arms of the Constables.

The elegant façade of the house is flanked by two splendid quadrilateral towers, crowned by a beautiful battlement. The building contains a stately patio with three levels of galleries and a staircase.

The palace is part of the illustrious history of Spain. It is the place where Prince Don Juan and Doña Margarita of Austria celebrated their wedding in style, in 1497; and also where Columbus was received by the Catholic Monarchs on his return from his second expedition to America. But the walls of this house have witnessed other historical events, including the death of Felipe I the Handsome, on 25 September, 1506; the meeting of Parliament where Castile´s annexation of Navarre was decided in 1515, an order that completed the union of Spain. Among the royal weddings that have been celebrated in the palace are those of Felipe IV and Isabel of Borbón on 18 October, 1615; and of Ana of Austria and Luis XIII. At the palace have stayed all kings from the Austria dynasty, Felipe V of Borbón and Francisco I of France.

Between 1936 and 1939, the House of the Cord was occupied by the Spanish Foreign Office. Presently, the building houses the headquarters of the Burgos savings bank. 

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