Casa de las Conchas Photo

Photographer’s Note

Halfway between the Cathedral Nueva and the Plaza Mayor, where the Calle de la Compania meets the Rua Mayor, is the Casa de las Conchas (House of the shells).
A casual tourist without knowledge of the building's famed facade might at first not recognize the odd protuberances covering the walls of the building. But on closer inspection it would be revealed that each protrusion on the Casa de las Conchas is actually a shell carved out of stone.
Today the Casa de la Conchas is a modern library, but it was once a palace of Rodrigo Maldonado, a knight of the Santiago Order. The palace was built in the 1500’s. The shell that adorns the building is the emblem of the Santiago Order.

Fransx, akm has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

KLB (17830) 2009-05-04 1:43

Hello Kris

Excellent presentation of this stunning architecture.
Your framing is really effective to bring the marvelous windows out, and the whole image is perfectly balanced.
Very intriguing shells... Thanks to your note, we know why they ornamente the wall.
Great light to enhance the natural colours.
A nice composition, well done.

Regards
Karine

Fransx (1453) 2009-05-04 1:58

Hello Kris,

Great capture of these four different windows!
Lighting is perfect and every detail in sharp focus!
The shells on the wall are creating a pleasant composition!
Nice presentation in an adequate frame!
Well done. Regards.

Francis Xavier

akm (640) 2009-05-04 12:06

Hello Kris,
An excellent capture of a fascinating building. I like the way the uniformity of the shells contrast with the unique features of each window.
Regards,
Mary