Casa del Mayorazgo de los Cáceres

Casa del Mayorazgo de los Cáceres is a historic townhouse in Segovia, standing on Plaza del Conde de Cheste. Also known as Casa del Marqués de Lozoya, it ranks among the most notable examples of civil architecture in the old quarter and has held protected status as a Bien de Interés Cultural (a nationally recognized historic monument) since 1979.

What will you see there?

The building rose on the foundations of one of the old defensive towers that once reinforced Segovia's city walls. That military origin is still visible in the massing of the house — solid, compact, with few openings in the lower part of the facade, a pattern typical of medieval defensive structures later converted into residences.

The standout feature is the entrance portal, considered one of the most important examples of civil Romanesque architecture in Segovia. It's marked by richly carved archivolts — the concentric arched bands framing the doorway — decorated with rosette and geometric motifs. This detail is what draws the attention of visitors and art historians alike, since Segovia is best known for its Romanesque stonework on churches, making a civil example like this one particularly worth seeking out.

What's the history behind it?

The building's story goes back to the 13th century, when it belonged to a family known as "de los Segovia," one of the burgher families tied to the city's defense and administration in the medieval period. Ownership changed hands over the following centuries until, in the 19th century, the property passed by marriage to the Marquesses of Lozoya — hence the second name under which the house is often listed in guidebooks and on information plaques.

Legal protection came relatively late: only on November 18, 1979, did authorities declare the building a historic-artistic monument of national significance, granting it the conservation status it holds today.

How do you get there?

Casa del Mayorazgo de los Cáceres sits in the heart of historic Segovia, on Plaza del Conde de Cheste, within walking distance of the cathedral and the old town's other main landmarks. The most practical way to reach it is on foot — the old town is compact, and most sights lie within a fifteen-minute walk of one another. Visitors arriving by car should expect traffic restrictions inside the old walls and plan to use parking on the edge of the historic center.

When is the best time to visit?

The building currently serves a private or institutional function and its interior is not open to the general public, so viewing is limited mainly to the facade and portal from the square. The best light for photographing the archivolts and rosette carvings comes in the early morning or late afternoon, when the sun hits the facade at an angle and brings out the depth of the carved details. Spring and autumn make for comfortable seasons to explore Segovia's old town without the crowds typical of summer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you visit the interior of Casa del Mayorazgo de los Cáceres? No, the building doesn't operate as a public museum — visits are limited to viewing the facade and portal from the outside.

Why does the building have two names? The original name comes from the de los Cáceres/de los Segovia family associated with the property in the medieval period; the second name, Casa del Marqués de Lozoya, comes from the marquess family who acquired the estate through marriage in the 19th century.

What's the most valuable architectural feature? The entrance portal, with archivolts decorated in rosette and geometric motifs, considered one of the most important examples of Romanesque civil architecture in Segovia.

Since when has the building been legally protected? Since November 18, 1979, when it was declared a historic-artistic monument of national significance.