Palace del Conde de Cheste

Palacio del Conde de Cheste, in the historic center of Segovia, is a 15th-century urban palace and one of the best-preserved examples of noble residential architecture in the city.

Who built the palace, and where does its name come from?

Construction was commissioned by Juan de Contreras, a Segovian alderman (regidor), toward the end of the 15th century. The building stayed in the Contreras family for generations until the 19th century, when it was acquired by the Count of Cheste — the man from whom the palace takes the name it still carries today. The Count of Cheste, a Spanish aristocrat and military figure who also served as Minister of the Navy, spent long periods living in the building, remaining there until his death in the early 20th century. The square in front of the palace, Plaza del Conde de Cheste, was named after him as well.

What does the palace's architecture look like?

The facade retains a Gothic entrance portal dating from the original construction phase at the end of the 15th century. Above it, the elevation combines balconies on the main noble floor with windows on the floor above. The wrought-iron grilles on both the balconies and windows date from a later period, the 17th century, when the building underwent further finishing work. Above the lintel of the main door sits a stone coat of arms of the Contreras family, a reminder of the palace's original owners and founders. This layering — a Gothic portal, a facade shaped by later work, and 17th-century ironwork — makes the building a visible record of the successive renovation phases typical of Segovia's urban palaces.

What is the building used for today?

The palace now belongs to the Conceptionist Sisters (Madres Concepcionistas) and operates as an educational institution. Because of this, the interior is not open to the public — the building functions as a school rather than a museum or a visitable monument. Visitors can view the facade and the entrance portal from the street, which is enough to appreciate the architectural details described above.

Where is it located?

The palace stands at Plaza del Conde de Cheste 4, postal code 40001, right in the historic center of Segovia, surrounded by other period townhouses and urban palaces typical of this part of the city.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you visit the inside of Palacio del Conde de Cheste? No. The building is used as a school run by the Conceptionist Sisters, so the interior is not open to visitors. The facade, entrance portal, and the square in front of the palace can be freely viewed from outside.

Where does the palace's name come from? From the Count of Cheste, a 19th-century aristocrat and Minister of the Navy who bought the building and lived there until his death in the early 20th century. Before him, from the late 15th century, its owner and founder was Juan de Contreras, a Segovian alderman.

What architectural details are worth noticing on the facade? A Gothic entrance portal from the late 15th century, balconies on the main floor fitted with wrought-iron grilles from the 17th century, and a stone coat of arms of the Contreras family above the lintel of the main door.

How do you get there? The palace is located at Plaza del Conde de Cheste 4, in the historic center of Segovia, close to other period buildings in this part of the city.