Casa de los Pazos de Miranda

Casa de los Pazos de Miranda is a historic townhouse in Cádiz standing on the western side of Plaza de San Juan de Dios, one of the most important squares in the old town. The building is a protected, listed structure and forms part of the row of houses that frame the square, contributing to one of the city's most recognizable streetscapes.

Who built the house and when was it constructed?

The house was built in 1795 for Don Fernando Pazos de Miranda, whose name the building still carries. The design came from Miguel de Olivares, an architect linked to the Cádiz academic school — the circle of builders who shaped the city's architecture at the time around classical proportion and order.

What does the building's architecture look like?

The façade reflects its architect's classical training and gathers together the traits typical of the Cádiz academic school. The upper section is organized by a giant order of Ionic pilasters framing the rooms between them, while the lower floors are wrapped in a plain, restrained plinth. The house rises five storeys and carries light ornamental detailing that keeps the façade from feeling overloaded. This contrast between a sober base and a rhythmic, more elaborate upper section is typical of Cádiz's bourgeois townhouses from the turn of the 18th to the 19th century.

Why is the building also known as Casa Amaya?

The popular name "Casa Amaya" comes from Emiliano Amaya Vázquez, who opened a textile shop inside the building in 1944. The name stuck so firmly that it is still used alongside the historic Pazos de Miranda name, and city records sometimes refer to the property as "Edificio Amaya."

How is the building used today?

After decades of commercial use, the property passed into the hands of the city council, which carried out its restoration. Today the house serves as an administrative building for the Ayuntamiento de Cádiz, while remaining on view as a piece of historic architecture for anyone exploring the square from the outside.

Why is this building worth seeing on a visit to Cádiz?

Casa de los Pazos de Miranda is regarded as one of the finest examples of civil classical-era architecture in Cádiz. For visitors touring Plaza de San Juan de Dios — the square that is also home to the city hall — the house offers a clear reference point for understanding what the city's bourgeois architecture looked like during its era of colonial trade and prosperity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Casa de los Pazos de Miranda located? The house stands on the western side of Plaza de San Juan de Dios in the historic center of Cádiz.

When was the house built? It was built in 1795 to a design by the architect Miguel de Olivares.

Why is the building also called Casa Amaya? Because in 1944 Emiliano Amaya Vázquez opened a textile shop there, and his family name stayed attached to the building.

Can visitors go inside? The building now serves an administrative function for the city, so visits are mainly limited to viewing the façade from the square.